The Electronic Frontier Foundation issued a report on 18 web and technology companies that routinely handle data.  The study looked at the following six security policy and practice areas related to how the company responds to requests for user information.

  • Does the company require a warrant before releasing information?
  • Does the company inform users of requests for data?
  • Are statistics published on how often data is provided to requesting agencies?
  • Does the company have a policy outlining how they respond to information requests?
  • Does the company stand firm when information requests are too broad in scope?
  • Does the company support revisions to electronic privacy laws?

Some of the results of the study are surprising.  Dropbox, Linkedin, Sonic.net and Twitter were some who ranked the highest.  Others such as Amazon, Yahoo, and Apple ranked towards the bottom and Verizon and Myspace were the lowest.

Download the EFF report