• by Ray Schultz , November 12, 2018

Internet outfits such as Facebook and Google are the least trusted by consumers when it comes to protecting their personal data, according to The Consumer Brand Trust Survey by Janrain.

Of 1,079 consumers polled, 31% rank the internet brands as the least trustworthy.

Hospitality brands are a distant second, cited by 15%. Third, at 10%, are internet/cable/phone providers like Verizon or AT&T.

News outlets are seen as suspicious in this way by only 6%, and financial services by 6%. Amazon and other online stores are distrusted by only 4%, and healthcare providers by 2%.

Here are the least-trusted brands:

Facebook

Google

Wells Fargo

Equifax

Target

For some reason, Google also makes the most-trusted list:

Amazon

Google

Apple

Chase

Paypal

These findings may have consequences for some brands. Of the consumers surveyed, 48% buy only from companies they trust, although they don’t fully trust all of them.

Another 30% say they buy only from firms that they trust with their personal data. However, 14% say they don’t think any company protects their data. And 8% are not sure, or have another answer.