GreNME
20th March 2009, 10:00 PM
In case you haven't heard, Verizon has gotten snagged with some pretty shady new agreement rules (http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/03/07/07readwriteweb-verizon_customers_-_just_say_no.html?em). On top of that they're making it awfully difficult to opt out (http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/2009/03/07/tales-of-data-pirates-opting-out-of-verizons-open-ended-sharing/):
To opt out you can call 1-800-333-9956. Or you can follow the instructions in the mailing to go to verizonwireless.com and log into My Verizon where you will find no mention, no button, no link and no help. Ah, but you forgot to check your Messages. There you will indeed find a link to CPNI. The link is marked "Not available." Dead end.
You could then call Verizon's excellent telephone support. (Nope, I'm not being sarcastic.) They won't be able to find the opt out button either. But during the 8 minutes the rep puts you on hold, you'll be amused to hear one of their continuous bits of self-promotion tell you that Verizon never shares your personal information. Oh, what a wry sense of humor Verizon has!
(Upon refreshing the browser, the page seems to be offline for now. I'll leave the link in case it comes back. This one (http://gigaom.com/2009/03/09/verizon-data-sharing-hysteria-points-to-larger-privacy-issues/) covers more information. The instructions alone make keeping the text worth it for Verizon customers.)
Maybe this ticks me off because I'm a Verizon customer. It's nothing new in stupid, back-handed business practices that some companies engage in to increase their bottom line, but I hate feeling like I have no other choice but to deal with it if I want to have the capabilities their products provide. to be locked into stupid contracts that one side of the contract is entitled to change at any time it finds a way to improve its profits.
So, is it unreasonable to find this crap reprehensible? Is it ridiculous to think more competition would clamp down on these practices? I'm definitely curious for outside input and opinions.
To opt out you can call 1-800-333-9956. Or you can follow the instructions in the mailing to go to verizonwireless.com and log into My Verizon where you will find no mention, no button, no link and no help. Ah, but you forgot to check your Messages. There you will indeed find a link to CPNI. The link is marked "Not available." Dead end.
You could then call Verizon's excellent telephone support. (Nope, I'm not being sarcastic.) They won't be able to find the opt out button either. But during the 8 minutes the rep puts you on hold, you'll be amused to hear one of their continuous bits of self-promotion tell you that Verizon never shares your personal information. Oh, what a wry sense of humor Verizon has!
(Upon refreshing the browser, the page seems to be offline for now. I'll leave the link in case it comes back. This one (http://gigaom.com/2009/03/09/verizon-data-sharing-hysteria-points-to-larger-privacy-issues/) covers more information. The instructions alone make keeping the text worth it for Verizon customers.)
Maybe this ticks me off because I'm a Verizon customer. It's nothing new in stupid, back-handed business practices that some companies engage in to increase their bottom line, but I hate feeling like I have no other choice but to deal with it if I want to have the capabilities their products provide. to be locked into stupid contracts that one side of the contract is entitled to change at any time it finds a way to improve its profits.
So, is it unreasonable to find this crap reprehensible? Is it ridiculous to think more competition would clamp down on these practices? I'm definitely curious for outside input and opinions.