The EFF has compiled a breakdown and ranking of how resilient companies are when the government comes snooping around for personal data. The rankings, the EFF says, explore the policies of 18 companies across digital industries, focusing on whether they "publicly commit to standing with users when the government seeks access to user data."

Companies were ranked on whether they informed users about requests for their data, and whether they were transparent about government requests, fought for user privacy rights in courts, and fought for user privacy rights in Congress. California ISP Sonic.net received a gold star in all four measurements, while other ISPs like Comcast (one star) AT&T (one star) and Verizon (no stars) didn't fare particularly well.

In contrast with larger ISPs, Sonic has fought for consumer rights wherever possible. CEO Dane Jasper recently decried how ISPs are engaged in all manner of sleazy non-transparent user tracking, ranging from clickstream sales to new "man in the middle" search traffic manipulation. The company also recently opposed new data retention laws, noting that greater storage of user data means greater security and privacy risks. Last fall a report surfaced showing Sonic fought a secret court order to obtain data on Wikileaks supporter Jacob Appelbaum.

"While there remains room for improvement in areas such as the policies of location service providers, certain practices — like publishing law enforcement guidelines and regular transparency reports — are becoming standard industry practice," states the EFF. "The overall poor showing of AT&T, Verizon and Comcast, who provide Internet connectivity to so many people, is especially troubling," says the group.