[ale] OT verizon and other cell phone companies invade your privacy by DEFAULT

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi guys,

I just learned this on the latest security now podcast.

http://www.grc.com/secritynow/
http://media.grc.com/sn/sn-372.mp3

Verizon and other cell phone companies are violating and compromising 
your privacy by default.  If you don't want them to do so, you have to 
opt out.  To do so on Verizon, do the following.  If you have a prepaid 
jet pack wifi hotspot or similar, it's probably on a different account 
with a separate login.  I don't know about how to do this with the other 
carriers.

Go to

http://vzw.com/myprivacy

Log into their website with your phone number and password.  If you've 
never logged in online before, follow the procedures to get set up.  I 
don't remember the procedure.  You may have to call customer service to 
help you log in.  Once you're logged in, you should see the following on 
the web page which describes what they are collecting and sharing about 
you, and allows you to opt out.  If you don't see the proper page, go to 
http://vzw.com/myprivacy again.

Repeat, this information about you is being shared already, unless you 
opt out.  To me, this is pretty unnerving and frustrating.  I decided to 
turn it all off.

Sincerely,

Ron

---------------------

  Location Based Services ("LBS") Privacy Settings

A location service is any service that provides access to location 
information, such as maps of places of interest and turn-by-turn 
directions, on your handset. These services may require Verizon Wireless 
to access the location of your handset. For location services you use 
that are supported by Verizon Wireless, you can Manage Location Privacy 
settings. (link)

------------------

Customer Proprietary Network Information Settings

As a provider of certain telecommunications services, Verizon Wireless 
collects certain information that is made available to us solely by 
virtue of our relationship with you, such as quantity, technical 
configuration, type, destination, location and amount of use of the 
telecommunications services you purchase. This information and related 
billing information is known as Customer Proprietary Network Information 
(CPNI). The Federal Communications Commission and other regulators 
require the Verizon Companies to protect your CPNI.

Verizon Wireless shares information among our affiliates and parent 
companies (including Vodafone) and their subsidiaries unless you advise 
us not to. Sharing this information allows us to provide you with the 
latest information about our products and services and to offer you our 
latest promotions.

-------------------

Business & Marketing Reports

Verizon Wireless may use mobile usage information and consumer 
Information for certain business and marketing reports. Mobile usage 
information includes the addresses or information in URLs (such as 
search terms) of websites you visit when you use our wireless service, 
the location of your device ("Location Information"), and your use of 
applications and features. Consumer information includes information 
about your use of Verizon products and services (such as data and 
calling features,device type, and amount of use) as well as demographic 
and interest categories provided to us by other companies (such as 
gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner). We will 
combine this information in a manner that does not personally identify 
you. We will use this information to prepare business and marketing 
reports that we may use ourselves or share with others. We may also 
share Location Information with other companies in a way that does not 
personally identify you. We will allow these companies to produce 
limited business and marketing reports. See our Frequently Asked 
Questions for more information about these reports.

You have a choice about whether we use your information for these reports.

-----------------

  Relevant Mobile Advertising

When you use your wireless device, you often see advertising on websites 
and apps. Using the postal address we have for you and certain consumer 
information such as your device type, language preference and 
demographic and interest categories provided to us by other companies 
(such as gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner), 
we will determine whether you fit within an audience category that an 
advertiser is trying to reach. This means ads you see may be more 
relevant to you. We will not share any information that identifies you 
personally. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information 
about relevant mobile advertising.

You have a choice about whether we use this information for relevant 
mobile advertising. Please note that you will receive mobile ads whether 
you participate or not, but under the program, ads may be more relevant 
to you.




-- 

(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com