[kruffin]

I received an email a while back from them basically saying they were going to start taking privileges with my data if I didn't go to a page and opt-out. I don't remember the text, but that was the gist.

[Edit] Did some digging and the email subject was: Important Update Regarding Your Privacy

It has various sections on what will be used and how with a call to action at the bottom listing your options.

Opening text: Why am I getting this notice?

Your privacy is an important priority at Verizon Wireless. Our Privacy Policy (available at www.vzw.com/myprivacy) informs you about information we collect and how we use it. Today we want to tell you about some important updates relating to two new uses of information. Verizon Wireless will begin using the information described below for (1) certain business and marketing reports and (2) making mobile ads you see more relevant. If you do not want us to use this information for these purposes, you can let us know by using one of the options described in the "Your Choices" section of this notice. This supplements our Privacy Policy.

Your choices section:

If you do not want us to use your information for any of the purposes described above, please let us know at any time by:

• Visiting www.vzw.com/myprivacy

Or

• Calling 1-866-211-0874

[draz]

I received the same kind of email from AT&T awhile ago. I immediately called them up, and asked to opt-out. After 30 minutes on the phone, the representative told me that the "feature" hasn't been rolled out yet, and I should call back a month later. Guess what? I completely forgot about it. That was probably the intention all along.... Thanks for the reminder, though!

[mdaniel]

I had a similar experience with Clear (wireless) and the binding arbitration clause in their ToS. When I called to opt out (because one cannot do so online, of course :-/ ) I was transferred 6 times and in the end the drone finally gave up and just asked if putting a note in "my file" would be sufficient. At that point, I think we were equally frustrated with one another and I settled.

But I can easily imagine some lawyer-type dreamed up such a clause but failed to tell anyone else in the business about it.

[ericcholis]

I can confirm that I also received this message some time ago.

[stephengillie]

(2) making mobile ads you see more relevant.

Does this mean they'll start replacing website ads with their own ads, like some wifi programs do?

[jlgreco]

Possibly, but I imagine it is really just lingo for "sell your information to advertisers".

Does Verizon software on phones have advertisements? Maybe they are going to start doing that.