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Verizon Draws Fire For Monitoring App Usage, Browsing Habits

Posted by samzenpus on from the stop-selling-my-info-bro dept.

An anonymous reader writes "'We're able to view just everything that they do,' Bill Diggins, U.S. chief for the Verizon Wireless marketing initiative, told an industry conference earlier this year. 'And that's really where data is going today. Data is the new oil.' From the article: 'The company this month began offering reports to marketers showing what Verizon subscribers are doing on their phones and other mobile devices, including what iOS and Android apps are in use in which locations. Verizon says it may link the data to third-party databases with information about customers' gender, age, and even details such as "sports enthusiast, frequent diner or pet owner."'"

3 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Bubble ads by Quakeulf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Even more opportunity for me to get offers for things I REALLY DON'T NEED.

  2. Verizon has just added a new tag to your profile! by concealment · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We notice that you've been modifying your behavior in response to our tagging. To better serve you, we have tagged you paranoid in our consumer tracking database. This tag reflects your interests and desires as a consumer.

    Coincidentally, we are offering you discounts this week:

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    We think you may also qualify for these related tags: prepper, gun owner, cave or basement habitation expert.

    If you have any questions, please call our automated line for a recorded answer.

  3. Re:Assholes by Solandri · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The thought of "ethical" or "good for the customers" isn't in their vocabulary, is it?

    How quaint. You still think their cell phone users are customers. When it comes to data like this, advertising agencies are the customer. Cell phone users are a resource to be mined.

    We need to take the laws requiring opt-out forms for credit card and bank accounts, and expand it to cover all services which wish to sell customer data.