Debra Lewis, a Verizon Wireless spokeswoman, explained to me that when a customer registers on the company's "My Verizon" website to see a bill or watch TV online, a cookie, or tracking software, is downloaded onto the customer's home computer.
Most cookies are benign, allowing websites to provide better service to frequent visitors.
Verizon Wireless' cookie allows a data-collection company working on Verizon's behalf – Lewis declined to name which one – to gather information on which sites you visit after you leave "My Verizon".
That information is "anonymised", Lewis said, to mask the Verizon customer's identity and is then shared with marketers, which can use the info to provide ads on the customer's Verizon Wireless device that match his or her home-computer interests.
So, by way of example, let's say you enjoy watching videos on the Victoria's Secret website on your personal computer in the privacy of your home. You shouldn't be surprised if ads for women's undergarments start appearing on your Verizon Wireless mobile device.
That's the scary part....because I use 'em at work and at home to pay my bill. It's horrible that they'll quietly track what I do after I log out for their personal gains.
Never had ads on my phone though...mainly because I use adaway.
I think though I opted out of VZ using my likeness when someone posted a link on how to via their website a year ago or so.
