The RDR Corporate Accountability Index offers a roadmap for companies to build and operate internet platforms and services that respect and protect human rights. The 2020 RDR Index ranked 26 companies on 58 indicators, using a rigorous seven-step research process and an open methodology that looked at companies’ governance mechanisms to identify and prevent potential threats to users’ human rights, plus disclosed policies affecting users’ freedom of expression and privacy.

We are the only organization in the world that produces an open dataset on companies’ commitments and policies affecting users’ freedom of expression and privacy, based on internationally recognized human rights standards. A number of other activities are essential for achieving our mission and maximizing impact:

1. [expand title=”Engaging companies ” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]When developing our original methodology, we shared our drafts with companies and invited feedback. Before every research cycle begins, we contact the companies we have included in that year’s RDR Index to inform them of how we will be evaluating them. We provide each company with their preliminary results so that they can provide us with further information and feedback, and we engage with companies about the final results.[/expand]
2. [expand title=”Keeping the methodology up-to-date” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]Technology is evolving rapidly and so are the global threats to internet users’ human rights. In 2020, we expanded our RDR Index methodology to include indicators evaluating companies’ use of targeted advertising and algorithmic systems. Read about our new methodology and the decision to add two new companies to the fold here.[/expand]
3. [expand title=”Collaborating with a global research community” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]RDR supports and serves a global network of researchers focused on corporate transparency and accountability for digital rights. RDR Index research could not be carried out without the contributions of approximately two dozen researchers from around the world with specialized language skills and knowledge of specific countries’ legal contexts. These and other researchers are also adapting RDR’s open methodology to produce their own rankings of companies in specific cities, countries, and regions. In partnership with Consumer Reports and other technical experts, parts of the RDR Index methodology have also been integrated into the Digital Standard for testing the privacy and security of applications and devices that make up the “internet of things.” Data produced by this expanding research network is already being used by activists, policymakers, and investors.[/expand]
4. [expand title=”Informing investors” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]We publish an investor resource page with materials designed to help company shareholders use RDR Index data, analysis, and methodology in making decisions about their stock investments, formulating shareholder resolutions, and planning their company engagement strategies. We engage with relevant organizations such as the UNPRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) and the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, and participate in investor-focused webinars, conference calls and conferences.[/expand]
5. [expand title=”Informing activists” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]We help activists use our data and analysis for their advocacy campaigns. For example, Access Now used the 2018 RDR Index company report cards to write open letters to all the companies we ranked, with the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre serving as a clearing house for the letters and company responses. Other advocacy groups cite our data when pushing governments to reform laws in order to require or better incentivize corporate respect for user rights.[/expand]
6. [expand title=”Informing policy” alt=”Read More” elwraptag=”div” elwrapclass=”about_wrapper” tag=”span” targclass=”about_wrapper_content” trigclass=”arrowright”]We engage with governments and policymakers through the Freedom Online Coalition, the OECD, the European Commission, the UN Human Rights Council and special rapporteurs, meetings with U.S. Congressional staff, and via a range of multi-stakeholder fora including the Global Network Initiative and the Internet & Jurisdiction Project. Every RDR Index report includes recommendations for governments on how regulatory frameworks can better support and incentivize corporate respect for internet users’ human rights.[/expand]