Verizon plans to share 'supercookie' tracking data with AOL ad network
Beginning in November, Verizon will start sharing the data gathered by its so-called "supercookie" identifier with AOL's ad network -- potentially raising privacy and security concerns, a report noted on Wednesday.
The wireless carrier announced the shift via an update on its website, according to The Verge. Unlike most cookies, which originate from an individual site or group of sites, Verizon's identifier tracks subscribers as they move around the Internet for the sake of the company's Relevant Mobile Advertising and Verizon Selects ad programs.
The AOL Advertising Network has a presence on some 40 percent of websites, and affiliated parties could potentially build more detailed profiles of Verizon customers as a result. The carrier bought AOL in May.
Although Verizon subscribers can opt out of the supercookie, it's enabled by default and can potentially allow various parties to follow users around the Internet, including not just advertisers but savvy hackers and government agencies. The U.S. National Security Agency is known to use cookies from companies like Google to monitor people it wants to investigate.
Verizon may also lack full control over how authorized parties use its identifier. Earlier this year, an ad company called Turn was reviving the code on phones even after people tried to delete it. Verizon promised to make sure Turn was compliant with "the purposes we intended."
The wireless carrier announced the shift via an update on its website, according to The Verge. Unlike most cookies, which originate from an individual site or group of sites, Verizon's identifier tracks subscribers as they move around the Internet for the sake of the company's Relevant Mobile Advertising and Verizon Selects ad programs.
The AOL Advertising Network has a presence on some 40 percent of websites, and affiliated parties could potentially build more detailed profiles of Verizon customers as a result. The carrier bought AOL in May.
Although Verizon subscribers can opt out of the supercookie, it's enabled by default and can potentially allow various parties to follow users around the Internet, including not just advertisers but savvy hackers and government agencies. The U.S. National Security Agency is known to use cookies from companies like Google to monitor people it wants to investigate.
Verizon may also lack full control over how authorized parties use its identifier. Earlier this year, an ad company called Turn was reviving the code on phones even after people tried to delete it. Verizon promised to make sure Turn was compliant with "the purposes we intended."
Comments
Maybeso.
https://ebillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/secure/setPrivacy.action
Well, la-di-da, la-di-da. Verizon having fun now.
Thanks, opt-ed out!
Thanks for the link. I just opted out of everything. It's pretty ridiculous Verizon is doing this. The bad part about it is I'm sure the majority of customers will have no idea this is happening.
Could be - idk what the big deal is. Unless I'm missing something (entirely possible), it just tracks your browsing habits, right? They don't have access to your name, address or other personal info through the supercookie. As long as they don't, I could care less if they know what sites I go to. Just get shown ads for stuff I've already bought. Yippee
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unlike the same under Bush?
Or any administration regardless of political affiliations
"The company has been pushing its supercookies on users to track everything you ever do on a phone -- every email, every page you visit, everything you click. By doing that, they were able to build a data-rich dossier and sell it to marketers."
If you're comfortable with all of that information being tied to a uniquely identifiable profile linked to your account in the hands of marketers that are guaranteed not to abuse that information at some point in the future then knock yourself out.
T-Mobile for the win.
I would love to switch, but they're not quite there yet in terms of coverage (and from what I hear, LTE strength/speeds). Too iff-y for my needs.
For now, ATT seems to be the less worse of the two biggies. News like this make me glad I am not with Verizon.
The bad part about it is I'm sure the majority of customers will have no idea this is happening.
That's so true. Primarily because most of the news media in this country are too busy chasing and reporting on shallow crap... whether in politics, business, or tech.
Pretty sure I had mentioned the supercookie problem last year.
Here is the direct link to make sure you are opted out. You'll have to sign in first. This is disgusting.
https://ebillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/secure/setPrivacy.action
Thanks, I thought I had already done it but wasn't sure how to check it this made it easier, Thanks again...
ATT was doing the same thing until the fall of last year. Unless you were aware of it and took steps to opt out then your profile too may have been sold.
Pretty sure I had mentioned the supercookie problem last year.
Thanks. I'll check.
Ugh.