It seems to me that this is he future we are heading, where privacy is only accessible for higher classes, it's a shame we are going in this direction just in the name of profit.
Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
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Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#12Is this not what all rewards programs are? How is this different from the local supermarket rewards card that I have, which "rewards" me with coupons targeted towards my purchasing habits? I'm not sure how to better inform people on these issues.
It's similar to other rewards programs but "Customers must give the carrier access to their web-browsing history, app usage and location data" is a lot more information about me than "what I've bought at in the past year".
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#13It seems to me that this is he future we are heading, where privacy is only accessible for higher classes, it's a shame we are going in this direction just in the name of profit.
If we stop punishing companies when they have a bad quarter, this probably would not be happening.
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
Verizon is US-only; the GDPR doesn’t seem applicable.
It is applicable if Verizon have a single EU citizen on their books, which they do; if the EU wish to pursue them I'm sure there is some way they could be held accountable. I am not so sure that american companies can just "hide" from this, they are actually quite exposed. Delta airlines, for example, appear to be quite worried by it internally, and are making changes to suit.
A large airline by its nature will provide services to individuals around the world. It is a clear candidate for the GDPR to apply to it in respect of those activities as a result.
The scope of GDPR extends to entities providing services to individuals in the European Union so is not limited solely to citizens. Additionally, if an EU citizen is in the US and uses a US service provider's services, then that US service provider is not within the scope of the GDPR.
The legal disclaimer on the Verizon Up specifically states that the offer is only available to US residents.
On that basis I would say that Verizon, in relation to this specific programme, does not appear subject to the GDPR.
I don't know about the full extent of their services however so may be subject to GDPR if they satisfy the Art 3 GDPR requirements (https://gdpr-info.eu/art-3-gdpr/).
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#15unpaywalled mirror: http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/09/05/verizon-wants... I'm actually ok with this idea, because it introduces the concept of companies "paying" for your data. To me, that means a couple things: 1. People with privacy concerns can use verizon but _not_ participate in their data collection program. 2. It opens up the idea of a competitive market for your data. Google and others have gotten a…
Unpaywalled redirect to the original article as well:
https://facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ve...
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#16It seems to me that this is he future we are heading, where privacy is only accessible for higher classes, it's a shame we are going in this direction just in the name of profit.
If we stop punishing companies when they have a bad quarter, this probably would not be happening.
Nyah, they still have a singular mission to make money for their shareholders.
But, if we started rewarding companies with our business when they exhibit good behavior, that might move the needle.
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#17Is this not what all rewards programs are? How is this different from the local supermarket rewards card that I have, which "rewards" me with coupons targeted towards my purchasing habits? I'm not sure how to better inform people on these issues.
It's similar to other rewards programs but "Customers must give the carrier access to their web-browsing history, app usage and location data" is a lot more information about me than "what I've bought at in the past year".
>"what I've bought at in the past year".
They get so much more than that. If you use a credit card at the store, the record now knows about this card, and any other credit card you have ever used while using that rewards program. This can all then be connected to other databases that track personal credit card spending in similar ways. A surprisingly detailed profile is quite likely to be out there on all of us, even if we are not always identified by name. If you have last 4 digits of a card plus zip code... You have a whole lot.
My memory is a little vague on the sources for this but I will try to dig up some relevant stories.
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's similar to other rewards programs but "Customers must give the carrier access to their web-browsing history, app usage and location data" is a lot more information about me than "what I've bought at in the past year".
>"what I've bought at in the past year". They get so much more than that. If you use a credit card at the store, the record now knows about this card, and any other credit card you have ever used while using that rewards program. This can all then be connected to other databases that track personal credit card spending in similar ways. A surprisingly detailed profile is quite likely to be out there on all of us, even…
Yet none of this is nearly as details as your web browsing history.
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#19In my country broadband Internet connection provided by two major ISPs has a price that increases by about 1.5$/month, if you don't agree for your personal data to be used for marketing purposes.
Re: Verizon Up offers rewards in exchange for customers’ personal information
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
If we stop punishing companies when they have a bad quarter, this probably would not be happening.
Nyah, they still have a singular mission to make money for their shareholders. But, if we started rewarding companies with our business when they exhibit good behavior, that might move the needle.
We would end up with a small section of middle class consumers who are aware of the privacy issues and its effects and willing to choose businesses based on merit as well as price.
I worry that this still leaves most people in a class comprised of those who can't afford choice or doesn't find the issue pressing enough (either because the are not aware of the amount of data compiled on them, or because they don't find it harmful; or even prefer it).