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Verizon Wants To Share Your Personal Information

Posted by timothy on from the on-display-right-there-in-the-locked-cabinet dept.

hyades1 writes "Gizmodo reports that Verizon is sending out notification letters infested with virtually-indecipherable legalese. In their sneaky, underhanded way, they're informing you that you have 45 days to opt out of their plan to share your personal data with 'affiliates, agents and parent companies.' That data can include, but isn't limited to, 'services purchased (including specific calls you make and receive), billing info, technical info and location info.' If you view your statement on-line, you won't even get the letter. You'll have to access your account and view your messages. However, Read Write Web says the link provided there, called the 'Customer Proprietary Network Information Notice,' was listed as 'not available.' No doubt Verizon would like to reassure you that everyone they're going to hand your personal data over to will have your best interests at heart."

3 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Which Verizon? by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Informative

    Replying to myself. Looks like it is Verizon Wireless. But it also looks like it's fairly easy to opt out of. You can either do it through your settings on the Verizon Wireless website, or via phone at 1-800-333-9956.

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    This guy's the limit!
  2. This isn't new by Mugsy69 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The court case resulting from the 2007 FCC regs requiring consumers to be able to opt to not have their information shared was finally decided on 2/19. That's what caused this notice to be sent. For more information check out this link to the EPIC website: http://epic.org/privacy/cpni/. It includes links to opt out for both Verizon and SBC.

  3. Re:boy am I glad by narcberry · · Score: 5, Informative

    In the meantime, here's how to opt-out (taken from the mouth of FredicvsMaximvs from the article comments)

    - Sign in to the Verizon website.
    - On the red bar near the top, hover over "My Verizon." Click on "My Profile." (Don't go over to the sub-menu that pops up.)
    - In the second section down, under Phone Controls, there's a link to "View/Edit Privacy (CPNI) Settings." Click on that.
    - Voila! Click on the button that says "Don't share my CPNI." Remember to hit the save button before you leave.

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    Modding me -1 troll doesn't make me wrong.