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Bell Canada To Collect User Data For Advertising

Posted by Soulskill on from the because-it's-not-enough-that-they-already-pay-you-money dept.

beerdragoon writes "One of Canada's biggest mobile and TV providers will soon begin collecting detailed information on usage patterns of its subscribers. Starting November 16th, Bell plans on using this information to provide targeted ads for subscribers. According to Bell this policy will allow customers 'to receive Internet advertising that's relevant to them rather than the random online advertising they're receiving now.' Customers have until the 16th to opt out of the targeted ads, but there doesn't appear to be a way to opt out of the data collection. Apparently this is not illegal, but it is certainly considered unethical by many."

6 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Can't opt out of data collection? by DontBlameCanada · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Glad I'm not a Bell subscriber, but damn... Now that the line has been crossed I expect every alternate service provider will start doing the same thing.

    Fuck.

  2. Canadians: Complain to the Privacy Comissioner by xtal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I am drafting my complaint to the Privacy commissioner, and you should too. The commissioner has real teeth and Bell will definately have to defend what they're doing. As a regulated utility they do not have right to unilaterally foist this upon people. It's repugnant and evil.

    http://www.priv.gc.ca/index_e.asp

    The terms are really horrible. Also, the fine print says they're going to collect and use it anyway - you can opt out of the ads. I don't have Bell TV or Phone - just internet - so how, exactly, do they intend to serve me ads?

    Get angry about this. The commisioner can't do anything without complaints. Give them some.

    --
    ..don't panic
  3. Re:Then users will switch to their competitors... by NIK282000 · · Score: 4, Informative

    What competitors? I switched from bell to teksavvy and 9 out of 10 people I know had no idea it even existed. Even after switching I'm still at the mercy of cogeco because they own the lines around here. When there is a service interruption cogeco, rogers and bell make sure that teksavvy customers are the last to get their service back.

    --
    Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
  4. Re:The Land Of The Negative Option by xtal · · Score: 4, Informative

    You can't opt out of the monitoring and profiling.

    You can only opt out of ad delivery.

    Yes, it's that evil.

    --
    ..don't panic
  5. Re:The Land Of The Negative Option by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 4, Funny

    you can pick up the NO form by... um... we're not sure where it is...

    In cellar with the lights out, in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the Leopard'?

  6. Looks like they're already on it by phorm · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to CBC, the privacy commissioner is Already Starting an Investigation