Verizon’s changes to its Selects program affected at least some users’ privacy settings. Under Selects, Verizon gathered customers’ location, internet browsing, and smartphone app usage data to send them marketing messages or offers; however, subscribers could opt out of it if they wished. The company recently updated its Selects program with the Verizon Custom Experience Plus and Custom Experience programs, according to reports. The exception is that users have started receiving emails informing them that they have been automatically registered.
Verizon indicated in the email that they will be included in the programs, which means their data will be gathered even if they previously opted out of Selects. The Custom Experience version simply collects browsing and app usage history, but the Plus version collects location information as well as data on the numbers that users call and call them.
Verizon stated on its FAQ page that it does not sell user information, but rather shares it with the service providers with whom it collaborates. “These service providers are required to use the information only for the purposes Verizon defines and not for their own or others’ marketing or advertising purposes,” the firm noted. The carrier also stated that it does not store browsing information for more than six months. It saves location and phone number information for around a year.
Users will have to opt out of the program once again to be removed from it. Many subscribers might object to being engaged in marketing programs in which they had previously chosen not to participate, but unsubscribing is simple. They can disable both programs by going to their Verizon account’s privacy preferences page or “My Verizon” on their mobile app and toggle the “Manage Settings” or “Manage Privacy Settings” off.
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