SERVICE UPDATE - Verizon using FIOS customer data to sell Online ads?

[Sonoluma]

Dear Valued Customer,                                                                                                                   en español   Your privacy is an important priority at Verizon.  We want to let you know that Verizon will soon participate in a program that will improve the ability of advertisers to reach our Verizon Online customers based on your physical address.  The goal is to provide online ads that may be more relevant to you.   This program uses your address to determine whether you reside in a local area an advertiser is trying to reach.  However, Verizon won’t share your address with advertisers as part of this process.  Advertisers won’t know it’s you specifically or where you actually live.  If you do not want us to allow advertisers to send you ads based on your geographic area you can let us know by selecting here. What does this mean for you?   Certain ads you’ll see while browsing the Internet may be directed to you and other Verizon Online customers in your area, so these ads may be of more interest to you.  For example, a pizza chain may want to deliver their ad to give a special offer to people living in a particular area.  Using this program, national brands and local businesses can tailor their offers, coupons, and incentives to your local area.   Protection of Your Personal Information   Verizon protects your personal information as described in our privacy policy.  You can learn about Verizon’s ad practices or let us know that you do not want to participate by selecting here.  If you don’t want to participate, you will need your User ID and Password to access the opt-out page.  Please note that declining to participate won’t impact the number of ads you see, just their potential relevance to you. For answers to your frequently asked questions, select here.     Sincerely, Verizon

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"The goal is to provide online ads that may be more relevant to you."

"Please note that declining to participate won’t impact the number of ads you see, just their potential relevance to you."

How thoughtful of Verizon...can any expand on how these ads are going to be displayed?

[smith6612]

This sounds like nothing more than a case of Verizon providing companies such as Google Adsense with some additional information to tailor ads to users, making "improvements" on something they already do. Whatever the case or however it's being done, I have already opted out of this data collection since I do not see ads online.

[TimM3]

Perhaps now that verizon is opting for paid advertising we cunsumers that will be subjected to this barage of advertisements will benefit by being given the option for free internet service should we decide to opt out of commercial free internet services. or continue to pay if we do not wish to be subjected to advertisements.

Right now it seems like a win win for verizon and a lose lose for anyone that pays for fios internet.

[paulgs31]

I opted out today.

Truth be told, I haven't seen an online ad in over three years. Opera browser, Kaspersky internet security, targeting adds towards me is a waste of money. 

[Sonoluma]

Smith6612

Gold Contributor II

This sounds like nothing more than a case of Verizon providing companies such as Google Adsense

That was my initial thought too, but how much do you really think you're opting out of? The letter clearly states that it removes your geographical information, but it doesn't say anything about demographic info or the fact that they're still gathering & retaining all of your personal information related to web browing history, search terms, etc etc.

While it certainly does feel like Verizon is just politely  reminding us that they don't give a 'you know what' about our right to privacy in favor of selling personal information for the sake of $$$ (just like every other corporation), it's a good wake-up call for anyone that doesn't already have their browser outfitted with additional applications.

Personally, I happen to like Firefox and I can't imagine not having the following add-ons (AT A MINIMUM) for web browing:

NoScript: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/?src=search

Ghostery: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/?src=search 

AdBlockPlus: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/?src=search

The ghostery one is probably my favorite as it provides you with the ability to block tracking software and cookies that every single website uses to track your movement throughout the web. Surprisingly, Verizon doesn't seem to run too many on the pages I've been too, but other places like Facebook have always been pretty ridiculous. Even if you don't mind ads, everyone should have the Ghostery app, or something very similar,  if they care about their online privacy. If not, you may not be seeing ads, but you're certainly being tracked.

[smith6612]

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@Sonoluma wrote:

That was my initial thought too, but how much do you really think you're opting out of? The letter clearly states that it removes your geographical information, but it doesn't say anything about demographic info or the fact that they're still gathering & retaining all of your personal information related to web browing history, search terms, etc etc.

While it certainly does feel like Verizon is just politely  reminding us that they don't give a 'you know what' about our right to privacy in favor of selling personal information for the sake of $$$ (just like every other corporation), it's a good wake-up call for anyone that doesn't already have their browser outfitted with additional applications.

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Not much, I know. Just checking it even if it doesn't mean a single thing, since it shows my position on how I feel about the subject. I already run add-ons such as NoScript and Adblock Plus, so I'm pretty much set in that aspect.

[Piperswoods]

Right you are, everytime Verizon service updates come, it is to deprive you of your privacy, and make more money! Ask for tech help on line and get ten phone calls in one day because you must list your phone number. Their game not yours...and you are stuck with the contract. I cannot even opt out because the link does not work.

[JOSEm441]

I just happend to be logged into this forum when I got the aforementioned email. I clicked on the link and it did work.

This is the  link : http://www22.verizon.com/foryourhome/myaccount/protected/account/myaccountgeography.aspx