This week’s Question: Verizon, the U.S. largest wireless carrier, recently announced that it will “create business and marketing reports” and “make the mobile ads you see more relevant,” based on the information the company collects pertaining to a user’s Web surfing destinations, applications, and location information. Verizon stated that none of the information used or shared will be personally identifiable, and those customers who don’t want their information shared can choose to opt-out of the feature. Although Verizon is not the only wireless carrier to adopt this type of data-AT&T and Sprint have similar processes, for example-many skeptics cite the privacy implications of mobile advertising.
What do you think? Are you alarmed by the information collected by Verizon and other wireless carriers?