Credit: Shutterstock photoBy Robbie Citrino for Kapitall.
As Americans and others the world over continue to worry about the decline of online privacy, could companies' policies on surveillance attract customers alone?
A great article in Gizmodo outlines findings by the Electric Frontier Foundation's "Who Has Your Back" report card-which was based upon how hard tech companies seem willing to fight for their users' right to online privacy.
The companies in question are rated on six criteria including: "Requires a warrant for content," "fights for users' privacy rights in courts," and "fights for users privacy rights in congress."
Looking at this chart reveals some shocking findings. No company seems to arouse more anxiety about their online identity than Facebook ( FB ) ; and perhaps that's why they fight so hard to protect their users' data, earning a perfect rating.
Large companies like Apple ( AAPL ) and Yahoo ( YHOO ) also fight for their customers, all receiving 6/6 stars; however, other conglomerates such as Amazon ( AMZN ) and AT&T ( T ) fall short, getting just 2/6 stars.
Going forward, assuming the furor surrounding NSA spying and requests for privacy persist, could these companies gain or lose from their confidentiality policies?
Click on the interactive chart to view data over time.
Will consumers reward companies that protect their data better? Use the list below to begin your analysis.
Privacy warriors
1. Apple Inc. ( AAPL , Earnings , Analysts , Financials ): Designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. Market cap at $548.05B, most recent closing price at $628.65.
Rating: 6/6 Stars
2. Facebook, Inc. ( FB , Earnings , Analysts , Financials ): Operates as a social networking company worldwide. Market cap at $160.99B, most recent closing price at $63.08.
Rating: 6/6 Stars
Room for improvement
3. Amazon.com Inc. ( AMZN , Earnings , Analysts , Financials ): Operates as an online retailer in North America and internationally. Market cap at $141.11B, most recent closing price at $308.84.
Rating: 2/6 Stars
4. AT&T, Inc. ( T , Earnings , Analysts , Financials ): Provides telecommunication services to consumers, businesses, and other service providers worldwide. Market cap at $183.58B, most recent closing price at $35.44.
Rating: 2/6 Stars
(List compiled by Robbie Citrino. Monthly returns sourced from Zacks Investment Research.)
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.