Verizon to begin selling your call records

Oh, Verizon. We were once fond of you because of your superior network coverage in our area. Now, though, we’ve grown beyond sour. Whether it’s their abhorrent contract, or them challenging the open-access provision in the 700 MHz spectrum auction, they’ve been really low lately. Now we’re hearing that they plan to sell customer call data to third parties unless their customers opt out. Yeah, subscribers can avoid this practice, but we wonder how readily accessible they’re making this opt-out policy.

CPNI [customer proprietary network information] comprises users’ calling records and includes the numbers of incoming and outgoing calls and time spent on each call, among other data. Verizon Wireless last week began sending letters notifying customers that they have 30 days to opt out of the program by calling an 800 number before their information would be shared.

“Among other data”? That’s kinda scary. Sounds like Verizon is positioning itself to record your phone calls. Yes, that’s an overly paranoid notion on our part, but hey, would you be shocked if it happened at this point? We wouldn’t at all.

Ah, but check out this aspect of the article:

Spokesman Jeffrey Nelson insisted the new policy adheres to the FCC’s rules, but declined to address specifics. Nelson also declined to say whether Verizon Wireless sent the letter to all its customers.

The rules referred to are those imposed by the FCC over pretexting scandals that have taken place over the past few years. It appears Verizon has skirted those toughened regulations. However, Mr. Nelson declined to say whether they sent letters to all customers? Uh, explain that one to us, fellas. How can you justify moving forward with this program if you can’t even verify that notification was sent to each customer? That sounds extra shady.

Of course, the CPNI data will be sold in the name of more targeted advertising. You know, there has to be a way to advertise without bothering the crap out of us. We just think people are too lazy to go about it that way. Interruptions are so easy, no?

[RCR Wireless News]

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