Let’s face it, we are in an era of data collection. Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter and your mobile providers all have your data. Data that can tell companies a whole lot about you, your activities, likes, dislikes, movements you name it they have it. So hearing that Verizon was implementing a Super Cookie wasn’t all that surprising. But it seems the greater Internet got wind of Verizon’s plans and now the company is taking a step back and allowing users to “opt-out” of the Super Cookie tracking.
“It allows third-party advertisers and websites to assemble a deep, permanent profile of visitors’ web browsing habits without their consent,” the EFF said at the time. “In fact, it functions even if you use a private browsing mode or clear your cookies.”
That last bit of text is the kicker, the Super Cookie even in private mode or a clearing of cookies, whoa! This is why it’s referred to as the Super Cookie, the cookie on steroids. Verizon and AT&T have been using these cookies for a bit now but it wasn’t widely known until just recently. It seems AT&T is no longer going to use these cookies but Verizon will continue with just the opt-out option. Verizon released a statement on the matter saying.
“Verizon takes customer privacy seriously and it is a central consideration as we develop new products and services,” Verizon said today. “As the mobile advertising ecosystem evolves, and our advertising business grows, delivering solutions with best-in-class privacy protections remains our focus.”
“We listen to our customers and provide them the ability to opt out of our advertising programs,” Verizon continued. “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.”
The question remains, how many people will actually remember to opt-out of the super cookie tracking once Verizon releases the option to do so. Waiting to release such an option works on Verizon’s side when the media spotlight has died down. It’s likely people will have forgotten about it. What do you think of Verizon’s Super Cookie? Let us know in the comments below or on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.
[button link=”http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2476078,00.asp” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: PC Mag[/button]Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
