About Us
Who We Are
Internet Safety Labs is the world’s first independent product safety testing lab for software, unrelentingly on the side of consumers and their safety.
Why We Exist
Virtually every new product introduction sees the emergence of safety standards soon following market adoption. (Think: telephones, automobiles, radio, TV.)
But this never happened for software. Weird. Just because there’s “soft” in the name, doesn’t mean it’s safe.
There’s lots of buzz around “data privacy” and “cybersecurity”, but we think it’s far simpler:
Good old, basic product safety.
Because all products should be safe for people.
Statement of Independence
ISL is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) product safety testing and research organization. We are committed to the independence and autonomy of all our work. We do not accept funding that would impact our ability to remain impartial and objective or compromise our ethical foundation.
What We Do
Define Software Harms
We work to develop and gain consensus around a common software harms taxonomy.
Develop Software Product Safety Standards
We’ve developed a rigorous baseline for testing the safety of websites and mobile apps.
Perform Product Safety Research and Create Industry Benchmarks
Perform Product Safety Audits
For websites and mobile apps.
Advocate for Software Product Safety Policy & Regulation
The Team
Executive Team
Lisa LeVasseur
Executive Director
Why ISL? “Because the world needs a way to measure the ethical behavior of technology, to ensure the well-being of people, societies and the planet.”
Andrea Ausland
Director of Operations
Why ISL? “The mission of Internet Safety Labs resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to work alongside a team focused on software safety for consumers.”
Irene Knapp
Technology Director
Why ISL? “Technology should be used for the betterment of humanity. For that to be a reality, industry and government alike need to be held accountable for the harms of the tools they build and deploy. Independent oversight is part of building a future people can live in”.
Board of Directors
Lisa LeVasseur
Why ISL? “Because the world needs a way to measure the ethical behavior of technology, to ensure the well-being of people, societies and the planet.”
Cam Geer
Why ISL? “It’s imperative for the future of our society that the balance of power shifts to a more fair relationship between people and their technology. Internet Safety Labs is raising awareness and providing tools to empower people with agency over their digital lives.”
Eve Maler
Why ISL? “UMAnitarians like to say that privacy isn’t secrecy; privacy isn’t encryption; privacy is context, control, choice, and respect. ISL focuses on respectful technology and breaks down the solution into meaningful steps.”
Dr. Karina Alexanyan
Why ISL? “Internet Safety Lab’s focus on respectful behavior is a powerful way to create the types of relationships we want with the tools that we use. These relationships will be beneficial for both people and businesses.”
Advisors
Allison Mankin
Dr. Nishal Mohan
Why ISL? “As a digital rebel, I work with marginalized communities globally to codevelop and democratize public benefit technologies such as the internet and digital services. ISL understands how technology affects everyone’s privacy, security, and digital rights and I am delighted to support these efforts particularly for the benefit of those new to the digital world.”
Zach Edwards
Sheryl Wilkerson
Why ISL? “I’m excited to serve together with some of the most committed experts and thought leaders, to develop standards for respectful technology that will create a fair and balanced future.”
Deborah Schultz
Why ISL? “Society can only truly thrive when technology is safe for everyone. We need a common language, understanding, and roadmap of how to get there together. I am excited that ISL is leading the way in defining the science of safer software.”
Paul Reeves
Why ISL? “We have safety standards for many important areas of our lives like food, and transportation, but not for software. Yet we use software every day assuming it is safe. I’m proud to support ISL as they help companies and industries define standards that make us all safer while we continue to innovate and grow as individuals and as a global society.“