Tags : :
Last month, Verizon changed its privacy policy to allow the company to share your Web browsing habits, app downloads, and other information with third-party marketers.
Naturally, this set off a wave of public backlash and alarm bells among consumer interest groups. But when we took a closer look at what other carriers were doing, it turns out Verizon wasn't the only one making a little side revenue from selling customer data.
All the four major carriers collect, anonymize (strip off any personal identifiers), and sell information about how its customers use their technology, from browsing history to location information. No names or contact information are attached, so technically this isn't the same as selling "personal information" without your consent, which is illegal.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/story/how-opt-out-cell-phone-company-data-collection
Note the date of the article. This did not happen last month, but it's always goofd to know.
Naturally, this set off a wave of public backlash and alarm bells among consumer interest groups. But when we took a closer look at what other carriers were doing, it turns out Verizon wasn't the only one making a little side revenue from selling customer data.
All the four major carriers collect, anonymize (strip off any personal identifiers), and sell information about how its customers use their technology, from browsing history to location information. No names or contact information are attached, so technically this isn't the same as selling "personal information" without your consent, which is illegal.
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/story/how-opt-out-cell-phone-company-data-collection
Note the date of the article. This did not happen last month, but it's always goofd to know.