Verizon issues statement on customer data

Much hoopla has been made during the past five or so days regarding Verizon’s move to sell call data to third parties. Hey, they want to make a few bucks in advertising, and advertisers are frothing at the mouth for Verizon’s data. It will help them better target ads, which should lead to fewer dollars wasted and better conversion rates. However, this is coming at the cost of their customers’ privacies. What if we don’t want their stinkin’ advertisements?

Verizon does give you an out in the form of an opt-out number to call. This seems fair enough, and we have a hard time arguing otherwise, but the truth is that people don’t read everything in front of them. So one could take the position that Verizon is exploiting this. Had they done things the other way around — had people opt into the program, that is — they wouldn’t have many participants.

Anyway, Verizon has issued a statement on the issue:

“Verizon Wireless is taking another step to deliver the best service to its customers while providing the maximum protection for customer privacy. Verizon Wireless is currently sending its customers a notice that customer information will be shared within the Verizon family of companies to facilitate the offering of better service packages to consumers. Customers are given the option to forego the sharing of information among the Verizon companies.

“Specifically, the notice sent to customers is an advance notice that Verizon Wireless may share basic, non-identifying customer information with our parent companies. This notice, following rules set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), gives customers who do not want that information shared with our telecommunications affiliates the option of telling us by ‘opting out.’ The FCC has rules which state specifically that opt-out is the way to share information and provide certain required language, which we followed.

“Verizon Wireless has a long-standing policy of guarding personal customer information. We have put this process in place so that we can ensure our customers’ privacy needs and expectations are met — even within the Verizon family of companies. We will continue to vigorously defend the privacy rights of our customers.”

We’re really not sure what this statement does to calm the ire of some customers. All it basically says is that “you can opt out, so do it.” But some people, like us, take enjoyment in helping others — specifically others who don’t read everything put in front of them. So, to those people we say: Opt out. You really don’t need to see more advertising.

[CNN Money]

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