PSA: If You Are a Verizon Wireless Customer, Check Your Privacy Settings!

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Whenever a wireless carrier discusses your private information, you can be sure of one thing: they are trying to squeeze more money out of you by leveraging your information, but know that if they don’t give you an opt-out they will have regulators breathing down their necks. So … this week we get an email from Verizon Wireless.

What information are they storing?

Mobile Usage Information:
• Addresses of websites you visit when using our wireless service. These data strings (or URLs) may include search terms you have used
• Location of your device (“Location Information”)
• App and device feature usage

Consumer Information:
• Information about your use of Verizon products and services (such as data and calling features, device type, and amount
of use)
• Demographic and interest categories provided to us by other companies, such as gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner (“Demographics”)

As for HOW they will be using that data, here is a sample:

HOW INFORMATION WILL BE USED: To make mobile ads you see more relevant.

Description: When you use your wireless device, you often see ads on websites and apps. Using certain Consumer Information (such as your Demographics, device type, and language preference) and the postal address we have for you, we will determine whether you fit within an audience an advertiser is trying to reach. This means ads you see may be more relevant to you. We will not share any information that identifies you personally.

Example: A local restaurant may want to advertise only to people who live within 10 miles, and we might help deliver that ad on a website without sharing information that identifies you personally.

What to do? According to Verizon:

If you do not want us to use your information for any of the purposes described above, please let us know at any time by:

Visiting www.vzw.com/myprivacy Or Calling 1-866-211-0874

Source: Verizon Wireless via Consumerist

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About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!

1 Comment on "PSA: If You Are a Verizon Wireless Customer, Check Your Privacy Settings!"

  1. Yeah, and you have to save each setting separately. You can’t select all three and save them at once. It moves it back to “OK to share” if you click all three off and save one of them.

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