Cell Phone privacy settings

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by LauraR, Nov 10, 2011.

  1. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Anyone have Verizon Wireless? They just sent out a notice telling me that they'd be collecting lots of lovely info (nothing that could identify me personally, of course.rolleyes).

    They will be using the info for certain business and marketing reports and making mobile ads you see more relevant (mmmkay...cuz I want to see targeted ads on my phone).

    SO...this is just a note to anyone that you should check your privacy settings for your cell phone service for what info you are, by default, opted into.

    Oh, and make sure if you have Verizon Wireless, you maximize each option. Seems that they only have one or two so you can see it. The other is somewhat hidden and you have to click on the "-".
     
    LauraR, Nov 10, 2011
    #1
  2. gman863

    gman863 MajorGeek

    My guess is Verizon and other cell phone companies bury the "opt-out" methods on their websites deeper than Jimmy Hoffa is buried in Meadowlands Stadium. To get out of the ad creep entirely, it will likely take some digging in your personal account menu on the cell phone provider's web site.

    Although turning off the GPS tracking is an option on most phones (provided you can find it in the phone's menu options :confused ), I do not recommend it. Since cell phones are mobile, they do not have the e911 capability of displaying the exact address you're at in an emergency. Although the effectiveness of cell phone GPS may be overinflated by shows such as CSI and Hawaii Five-0, I'd rather leave it turned on if it has any value for police and fire agencies to figure out where I'm at if something happens.
     
    gman863, Nov 10, 2011
    #2
  3. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Yep. :(

    That reminds me... I meant to put the link they were required to disclose with the notice: www.vzw.com/myprivacy (or Privacy Settings if that doesn't work).

    I also changed the Location settings on mine to ask before locating me.
     
    LauraR, Nov 10, 2011
    #3
  4. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    I JUST now got that letter from them as well...even though Facecrooks reported it over a month ago and it went into affect I believe at the beginning of October. Nice of them to share, huh?

    It's easy enough to opt-out, but I truly hate that you are automatically opted in without knowing it.
     
    Sgt. Tibbs, Nov 10, 2011
    #4
  5. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    I never saw it on FB. :-/

    I'm sure rightly so, they figured no one would chose to opt into that garbage.
     
    LauraR, Nov 10, 2011
    #5
  6. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    I wouldn't have, but Facecrooks has become my very favourite thing about Facebook. They get stuff almost immediately...I'd love to have some of their connections, as they've saved my butt more than once by reporting on FB scams as soon as they hit.
     
    Sgt. Tibbs, Nov 10, 2011
    #6
  7. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Never heard of it. Thanks, Tibbs...I just liked it.
     
    LauraR, Nov 10, 2011
    #7
  8. Sgt. Tibbs

    Sgt. Tibbs Ultra Geek

    You're very welcome! They also apparently have a Google+ page now, too.
     
    Sgt. Tibbs, Nov 10, 2011
    #8

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