Remember I told you about ‘header enrichment’ (enrichment for the companies using these privacy invaders) - it was back a couple of weeks ago: here ?
Well, good news. Because of all the fire Verizon took from privacy advocates (because of the tracking…always with the story “We do it to improve content and service”) it will now allow users to opt out of their obnoxious spying through the use of the “supercookies”.
“However, watchdog groups have been all over supercookies, due to the very fact that they collect user information and forward it to advertisers, and the perception that hackers could make use of them to use such information for nefarious purposes.” – C. Martin
On Friday, Verizon announced that it is “allowing” subscribers to opt out of UIDH (Unique Identifier Header) – how supercilious! Arrogant company…the customer is the commodity despite paying for service. AT&T ceased its use of supercookies two months ago.
To me, all this means is that they’re developing or have developed another, more insidious and difficult to detect means of tracking customers. Count on it. Big money’s involved.
The nerve of Verizon. Get a load of this hypocrisy:
“Verizon takes customer privacy seriously and it is a central consideration as we develop new products and services. We have begun working to expand the opt-out to include the identifier referred to as the UIDH, and expect that to be available soon. As a reminder, Verizon never shares customer information with third parties as part of our advertising programs.” – Debra Lewis, Verizon
Of course not. You don’t ‘share’ it, you ‘sell’ it: Perhaps without the unique identifier called ‘name and address’, but you sell the data, and don’t deny it. Worse, through these browser ‘alterations’, you compromise your customers’ security.
So, if you have AT&T or Verizon as your telco, don't forget to contact them to opt out of their "supercookie".
Source:
http://www.highlightpress.com/verizon-joins-att-offers-full-supercookie-opt-out-to-everyone/22140/clarence