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Verizon To Start Spying On Customers To Improve Ad Selection

Verizon Wireless will soon start spying on its customers.

The telecom giant recently updated its privacy policy, allowing the company to share more data with advertisers, and several customers have equated the change with spying.

Verizon will know what websites you visit and how frequently you visit them as well as the location of your phone. The company said that its new monitoring practices will allow it to provide customers with more relevant ads.

Verizon said:

“A local restaurant may want to advertise only to people who live within 10 miles, and we might help deliver that ad on a website without sharing information that identifies you personally.”

Getting customers connected with local businesses sounds like a good idea, but several people are concerned about Verizon’s spying practices. According to iDigital Times, the tracking function is enabled by default on Verizon phones.

If you don’t want to let Verizon use your data for marketing purposes, you can log into your account and go to Verizon’s privacy center. On that page, you should find a button that allows you to opt out of the program.

Verizon said in a press release that its new spying practices will allow it to give businesses a detailed look at their customers. For example, Verizon will be able to determine the users demographic (age, gender, race), their interests (pet owner, tennis player), and their most frequent locations (which could help companies determine billboard placements).

What do you think about Verizon’s new spying practices? Are you comfortable with the telecom giant knowing your web history and your location? Are you looking forward to seeing more relevant ads?