Verizon Once Again Expands Its Snoopvertising Ambitions (techdirt.com) 14
Karl Bode, reporting for TechDirt: Back in 2008, Verizon proclaimed that we didn't need additional consumer privacy protections (or opt in requirements, or net neutrality rules) because consumers would keep the company honest. "The extensive oversight provided by literally hundreds of thousands of sophisticated online users would help ensure effective enforcement of good practices and protect consumers," Verizon said at the time.
Six years later and Verizon found itself at the heart of a massive privacy scandal after it began covertly injecting unique user-tracking headers into wireless data packets. The technology allowed Verizon to track users all over the internet, and the company neither bothered to inform users it would happen, or gave users any way to opt out. It took security researchers two years before security researchers even realized what Verizon was doing. Verizon ultimately received a $1.35 million fine from the FCC (a tiny portion of what Verizon made off the program), but still uses the same tech (albeit with functioning opt-out) today.
A few years later and it's not clear Verizon has actually learned all that much. The company last week began expanding its data collection and monetization once again, this time via a new "Verizon Custom Experience" the company says will help it "personalize our communications with you, give you more relevant product and service recommendations, and develop plans, services and offers that are more appealing to you." In reality that means Verizon is expanding the collection of data on the websites you visit, the people you communicate with, and the apps you use.
Six years later and Verizon found itself at the heart of a massive privacy scandal after it began covertly injecting unique user-tracking headers into wireless data packets. The technology allowed Verizon to track users all over the internet, and the company neither bothered to inform users it would happen, or gave users any way to opt out. It took security researchers two years before security researchers even realized what Verizon was doing. Verizon ultimately received a $1.35 million fine from the FCC (a tiny portion of what Verizon made off the program), but still uses the same tech (albeit with functioning opt-out) today.
A few years later and it's not clear Verizon has actually learned all that much. The company last week began expanding its data collection and monetization once again, this time via a new "Verizon Custom Experience" the company says will help it "personalize our communications with you, give you more relevant product and service recommendations, and develop plans, services and offers that are more appealing to you." In reality that means Verizon is expanding the collection of data on the websites you visit, the people you communicate with, and the apps you use.
Dupe (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
https://yro.slashdot.org/story... [slashdot.org]
And this one doesn't include how to opt out, which the one you linked had:
How to opt-out: "[...] open your My Verizon app, and then hit the gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Scroll down and select 'Manage privacy settings' beneath the 'Preferences' heading. On the next page, toggle off 'Custom Experience' and 'Custom Experience Plus.' To erase the information that Verizon has already collected about you through the program, tap 'Custom Experience Settings,' and hit 'Reset.'"
Verizon has learned a lot (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
An obvious solution is to stop using Verizon.
In the past, Verizon had higher prices and better coverage. But with the 5G rollout, that isn't true anymore. T-Mobile has better 5G coverage.
Verizon's higher prices are no longer justified unless you use 4G in Hicksville.
Does a Verizon customer have to use the app? (Score:2)
If your phone was supplied by Verizon, can the app be removed?
If you own your phone, do you need to install the app for phone service?
Re: (Score:2)
I take it you live in New York City. How's the rat problem this year?
I'm out in the 'burbs and conveniently located between two contentious cell towers. The T-Mobile/Sprint tower can rarely manage to support slow data, let alone voice. Something went bad there about a year back, and tech support was utterly useless.
The Verizon tower gives me reliable connections, They're not 5G but, I don't have to worry about getting a signal. I am aware that Verizon is scum, and pricy scum at that but, they do get the job
Full text of the announcement email (Score:5, Informative)
Full text of the email I just got. I hit the roof when I read this:
Introducing Verizon Custom Experience.
It’s your experience, tailored to your interests.
Hi ,
At Verizon, we believe being America’s most reliable network comes with a responsibility to safeguard and protect your information. Your privacy is important to us, and we want to let you know about a new choice you have regarding how we use your information.
We’d like to introduce Verizon Custom Experience, a program designed to provide you more personalized experiences with Verizon. You will be part of Custom Experience unless you opt out.
How it works
The program uses information about websites you visit and apps you use on your mobile device to help us better understand your interests. This helps us personalize our communications with you, give you more relevant product and service recommendations, and develop plans, services and offers that are more appealing to you.
To be very clear, this information is used only by Verizon; we do not sell this information to others for them to use for their own advertising.
You’re in control
You will be part of Custom Experience unless you opt out. You can opt out at any time on the My Verizon site or your My Verizon app by accessing privacy preferences.
More information is available in our program FAQs.
Oh Great... (Score:2)
Oh great, Verizon was my likely alternative for T-mobile as I'm being forced into their network due to the Sprint merger and T-mobile's service where I live is terrible (Sprint's was great though).
Thanks Fed for authorizing that T-mobile / Sprint merger, who needs competition anyways!
Good grief (Score:3)
And don't image for a nanosecond that the people writing the laws don't know that.
Trusting any multinational's PR department? (Score:2)
It's sad and telling that the only ones to believe corporate PR like this are the regulators who are either enjoying their golden parachute, or in line to receive one from the industry they are supposedly regulating.
You can say 'screw these people! Find a provider who doesn't play these games' -- but they all do. and if not, they will soon (otherwise the shareholders would riot because of money left on the table)
Criminals at heart (Score:3)
That's why the Verizon didn't tell anyone about their tracking technology, they've admitted they're criminals at heart.
This shows that many managers know keeping "the company, honest" is a fairytale told to subscribers and regulators. Adam Smith mentioned the dishonesty of management and the need for regulation. Contrary to the fairytale, the 'invisible hand' does not promise honesty, it merely says that customers being as selfish as managers, has good results.
When customers don't understand the technology, are being blatently scammed, are controlled by EULAs and lock-in contracts, they can't be as selfish as the managers: The invisible hand doesn't exist and capitalism stops protecting the people under it.
verizon has learned plenty (Score:2)