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Verizon Is Merging Its Cellphone Tracking Supercookie with AOL's Ad Tracking Network

Posted by Soulskill on from the evil-boring-voltron dept.

schwit1 writes: ProPublica reports that Verizon is giving a new mission to its controversial hidden identifier that tracks users of mobile devices. Verizon said in a little-noticed announcement that it will soon begin sharing the profiles with AOL's ad network, which in turn monitors users across a large swath of the Internet. That means AOL's ad network will be able to match millions of Internet users to their real-world details gathered by Verizon, including — "your gender, age range and interests." AOL's network is on 40 percent of websites, including on ProPublica.

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Well if this is true by ganjadude · · Score: 4, Insightful

    even if it isnt true... .both the companies are still scumbags

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  2. Change in contract by spacepimp · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I would hope this is considered a contractual change and that all customers are hereby free of obligation to Verizon.

  3. And Companies Wonder... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...why people block ads and tracking if they are able. I do. I've said this before and I've taken flak for it, too, but I really miss the Blackberry heyday. Blackberry devices and the company in general didn't track the daylights out of people like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are wont to do. I am seriously considering going back to a Blackberry Classic. I don't use a single app that my mobile phone didn't ship with. I rarely, if ever, browse whilst using my mobile phone. I text and email, that's about it.

    Ever care to notice that we are now choosing what amounts to a feudal lord when we pick a handset. And then we proceed to get locked down. Blackberry, while not perfect, was/is better in this regard.

  4. The best summation I've seen by sootman · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Past:
    Users: "Please do not track us."
    Companies: "Fuck you."
     
    Now:
    Companies: "Please do not adblock us."
    Users: "Fuck you."
     
    https://twitter.com/vonWolfehaus/status/647141176403865601

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  5. Re:Well if this is true by tripleevenfall · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It would appear that a new, previously undiscovered species of scum has been isolated in this case.

  6. I guess it's time ... by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ... for Google to change its slogan from "Don't be evil" to "Don't be Verizon".

    On the other hand... it's a new TV spot opportunity for Verizon: "Can you fear me now?"

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