Verizon Wireless Plans Targeted Ad Service that Leverages User Data

By Rob Scott
December 5, 2012

Verizon Wireless has announced its new Verizon Selects program that will use location data as well as browser and app usage to create targeted ads and offer users coupons or promotions based on their interests.
“Subscribers will then get relevant offers via email, text message, standard mail, or through online and mobile advertisements,” reports The Verge.
The company says it will not share customer information with outside parties. However, its “Precision Market Insights program — of which the new program is a part — has recently come under fire for mining data from iOS and Android users,” notes the post.
In response, Verizon plans to only track users who opt-in to the program. The marketing initiative launches this week as Verizon Wireless contacts customers directly asking them to participate.
“Verizon Wireless will offer customers who opt-in to Verizon Selects a coupon or some other form of reward, most likely from a popular retailer, in exchange for their participation,” explains Verizon. “If a customer chooses not to opt-in, absolutely nothing about their relationship with us changes.”
“We are asking customers to opt-in to Verizon Selects because of the types of information being used and because the capabilities provided to third-party marketers gives them the ability to reach customers directly,” notes the company.

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