Scroll to the bottom of the article to see how you can opt-out. Enjoy!
Verizon Begins Tracking Cellphone Activity: Web Use, Location, and Apps
By Julia Greenberg | October 13, 2011 6:12 PM EDT
Verizon is making significant changes this week to their privacy policy for mobile users.
The company will begin collecting Web browsing history (including search terms used), cell phone location, app usage and general device feature usage. The information will be used for “certain business and marketing reports” and to make mobile ads more relevant for users. Verizon might also sell this information to third-party companies.
While Verizon claims that none of the information will personally identify users, certain consumer information will be collected. The company will collect information about usage of Verizon products and services, which includes data and calling features, device type and amount of use. Demographic and interest categories will also be collected, which can range from gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner or pet owner.
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“For the business and marketing reports offered by Verizon Wireless, records about Web sites visited, cell phone locations and other consumer data will be combined (or aggregated) to compile reports that provide businesses with insights about their customers,” Verizon spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said. “For example, these insights may include the demographics (age ranges, gender, etc.) and interests (such as ‘pet lovers’ or ‘tennis enthusiasts’) of visitors to a Web site, or commuters who might pass an outdoor billboard. These aggregate reports could be used by Web publishers to help provide content that is more appealing to users, or to help advertisers better select the ads they will display on outdoor billboards or at other venues.”
By default, users will be opted-in to this new program; however, all users can choose to opt-out by visiting My Verizon login. Sign in to your Verizon Wireless or Fios Account. Users opting out of the new program should check “Don’t use my information” for all Verizon cell phone numbers.
If a cellphone user decides to remain opted-in, she will begin to see more personalized ads while surfing on his/her mobile device, using Verizon FiOS Internet, DSL or any other Verizon systems.
Similar information is already collected by many online sources, like Google, Facebook, AOL and others.
source: International Business Times