Verizon Wireless Customers - Just Say No!

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

Per NYTimes:http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/03/07/07readwriteweb-verizon_customers_-_just_say_no.html?em

It is easier to seek forgiveness than it is to get permission according to Verizon, which has once again shown us what large corporations should not be doing when it comes to customer service.

David Weinberger, co-author of The Cluetrain Manifesto and the more recent Everything is Miscellaneous received a letter today from Verizon. A "legalistic pamphlet" that informed him he has 45 days to opt out of 'agreeing' to let Verizon share his personal information.

Weinberger, unlike the majority of us who rarely read the associated paraphernalia that arrives with bills and the like, noticed that Verizon's modus operandi was to share Customer Proprietary Network Information - the data created as a result of your relationship with Verizon Wireless - unless you ask them to stop.

This information includes "services purchased (including specific calls you make and receive), billing info, technical info and location info. They promise to only share this with 'affiliates, agents and parent companies.' It will definitely not be shared with 'unrelated third parties' ... unless, perhaps that third party pays Verizon to become an affiliate, whatever the heck 'affiliate' means," Wienberger wrote.

And if you receive your bill electronically you may not see the notice at all. It is buried in your Messages page -- but the link given is "unavailable".

If you want to shut off this "feature", log in to your VZ account, go to your Profile, scroll down to Phone Controls, and click on "Edit your CPNI settings".

More information can be found at Mr. Wienberger's blog http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/2009/03/07/tales-of-data-pirates-opting-out-of-verizons-open-ended-sharing/

[jody]

1. I changed from Verizon because it takes advantage of and abuses customers. Verizon has contracts

with several universities to provide service to students, I believe that is true.

I wish college students would merge their voices and force their universities to either demand Verizon improve service or change to another cell phone provider.

A single Verizon customer has no clout but tens of thousands of college students using current communication technology could make Verizon change its business practices.

[Touchdown]

2. Not related, but a shameless plug for union workers is in order.

100 WVa AT&T Mobility Workers Join CWA

A majority of the more than 100 AT&T Mobility workers at the company's new customer care center in Wheeling, West Virginia, have chosen to join CWA through majority sign up, reports District 2 Vice President Ron Collins.

In the campaign for CWA representation, health care costs and lack of a voice were key issues. Workers were assisted by Local 2006 President Debra Shepherd, in Wheeling; Local 2204 organizer Lea Kennedy, Norton, Va.; District 2 CWA Representative Elaine Harris, and District 2 Organizing Coordinator Richard Verlander.

"The workers' inside organizing committee did an amazing job of leading the campaign during a period of uncertainly, contract negotiations and the current economic crisis," said Verlander. The company plans to hire an additional 300 employees at the center.


http://www.cwa-union.org/news/100-wva-at-t-mobility-workers-join-cwa.html

[Lint Head]

3. Thank you soooooooooooo much!

Your activism is greatly appreciated. We all need to be vigilante. I just change this on our Verizon account.

End corporate rights!

:dem:

[reseacher]

4. thanks!!!!!!

Watch for the credit card rates going up to 30% . If you ask to opt out they take away your cards.
They want all lower and middle class people to starve and die and not bother them... or is there some control program we don't know about in exchange for food, water and shelter?????
I'm not a conspiracy theorist but why doesn't someone rein in these ba$#@rds???
Why are people so lethargic while we are getting it in the end????
Anyone interested in the utility undergrounding plan?

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

6. You are welcome!

:hi:

[sandyj999]

5. Thank You! I just took care of it. n/t

[A-Long-Little-Doggie]

7. Great!

Glad to help!