Verizon: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{StubNotice}} | ||
{{CompanyCargo | |||
| | |Description=American wireless carrier | ||
| Founded =1983 | |Founded=1983 | ||
| Industry =Telecommuncations | |Industry=Telecommuncations | ||
| | |Logo=Verizon logo 2024.png | ||
|ParentCompany= | |||
}}'''[[wikipedia:Verizon|Verizon Communications, Inc.]]''' is a major American telecommunications company headquartered in New York, New York. Verizon is the [[wikipedia:List_of_telecommunications_companies#World's_largest_telecom_companies_by_total_revenue|second-largest telecommunications company in the world]] by revenue and has the [[wikipedia:List_of_United_States_wireless_communications_service_providers|largest wireless network in the United States]] with 146 million subscribers as of December 31, 2024.<ref>https://www.verizon.com/about/file/74377/download?token=aFR5AvZZ</ref> | |Type=Public | ||
|Website=https://verizon.com/ | |||
}} | |||
'''[[wikipedia:Verizon|Verizon Communications, Inc.]]''' is a major American telecommunications company headquartered in New York, New York. Verizon is the [[wikipedia:List_of_telecommunications_companies#World's_largest_telecom_companies_by_total_revenue|second-largest telecommunications company in the world]] by revenue and has the [[wikipedia:List_of_United_States_wireless_communications_service_providers|largest wireless network in the United States]] with 146 million subscribers as of December 31, 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=31 Dec 2024 |title=Financial and Operating Information |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/file/74377/download?token=aFR5AvZZ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124153521/https://www.verizon.com/about/file/74377/download?token=aFR5AvZZ |archive-date=24 Jan 2025 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref> | |||
In 2017, the Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Verizon with a 1 out of 5 stars privacy rating, the same as Verizon's largest competitors, AT&T and T-Mobile.<ref>https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2017</ref> | In 2017, the Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Verizon with a 1 out of 5 stars privacy rating, the same as Verizon's largest competitors, AT&T and T-Mobile.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reitman |first=Rainey |date=10 Jul 2017 |title=Who Has Your Back? Government Data Requests 2017 |url=https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710152401/https://www.eff.org/who-has-your-back-2017 |archive-date=10 Jul 2017 |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=EFF}}</ref> | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
===Supercookie insertion (2012-2015)=== | |||
Verizon Wireless was caught inserting customer- or device-unique [[Web cookie|cookies]] into HTTP requests starting in 2012<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahani |first=Aarti |date=8 Mar 2016 |title=Verizon Settles With FCC Over 'Supercookies' Allegations |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/03/08/469606418/verizon-settles-with-fcc-over-supercookies-allegations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309111919/https://www.npr.org/2016/03/08/469606418/verizon-settles-with-fcc-over-supercookies-allegations |archive-date=9 Mar 2016 |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=www.npr.org}}</ref> | |||
===Verizon App Manager (2019-Present)=== | |||
At least as far back as December of 2019, many Android devices purchased through Verizon Wireless have come with Verizon App Manager preinstalled. The software is most present on Samsung devices purchased through Verizon. Verizon App Manager is a program that downloads apps onto the device without the user's permission, often doing so while the phone is being used without warning. These apps are often low-quality free mobile games that themselves contain ads, however some more prominent apps downloaded include Disney+, Yahoo Mail, and Yelp.<ref>{{Cite web |last=pkim168 |date=19 Feb 2020 |title=Verizon App Manager installing apps without permission |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS9/comments/f65q87/verizon_app_manager_installing_apps_without/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709092257/https://old.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS9/comments/f65q87/verizon_app_manager_installing_apps_without/ |archive-date=9 Jul 2022 |access-date=17 Oct 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> | |||
There is a way to temporarily disable Verizon App Manager; if the user goes to the device's Settings -> Apps -> Verizon App Manager -> Disable, it will indeed be deactivated, however it is automatically re-enabled every time the device is updated. If the user wishes to uninstall the apps downloaded by Verizon App Manager, they must do so manually, and individually. Some apps downloaded run in the background, reducing battery life and increasing RAM usage. Unlocked phones purchased from third-party sellers and subsequently put on a Verizon Wireless mobile plan do not have this issue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Jon |last2=Joy |first2=Anu |date=16 May 2024 |title=Why does Verizon App Manager auto-install unwanted apps? |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/what-is-verizon-app-manager-why-does-it-keep-installing-apps/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207033309/https://www.androidpolice.com/what-is-verizon-app-manager-why-does-it-keep-installing-apps/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2024 |access-date=17 Oct 2025 |website=Android Police}}</ref> | |||
===Selling Consumer Data (2024)=== | ===Selling Consumer Data (2024)=== | ||
FCC found that all major telecommunications companies were illegally selling customer's location data. FCC fined AT&T $57 million, Sprint $12 million, T-Mobile $80 million, and Verizon $46 million amounting to nearly $200 million.<ref>https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-402213A1.pdf</ref><ref>https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fcc-fines-us-wireless-carriers-nearly-200-million-over-illegal-location-data-2024-04-29/</ref> | FCC found that all major telecommunications companies were illegally selling customer's location data. FCC fined AT&T $57 million, Sprint $12 million, T-Mobile $80 million, and Verizon $46 million amounting to nearly $200 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Apr 2024 |title=FCC FINES AT&T, SPRINT, T-MOBILE, AND VERIZON NEARLY $200 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY SHARING ACCESS TO CUSTOMERS’ LOCATION DATA |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-402213A1.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429193144/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-402213A1.pdf |archive-date=29 Apr 2024 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=29 Apr 2024 |title=FCC fines US wireless carriers over illegal location data sharing |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fcc-fines-us-wireless-carriers-nearly-200-million-over-illegal-location-data-2024-04-29/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240429180626/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fcc-fines-us-wireless-carriers-nearly-200-million-over-illegal-location-data-2024-04-29/ |archive-date=29 Apr 2024|access-date=28 May 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> | ||
This fine towards Verizon amounted to about 0.25% of their annual net income.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
===Deceptive Advertising of 5G (2020)=== | ===Deceptive Advertising of 5G (2020)=== | ||
In March 2019 the Better Business Bureau cited that Verizon was falsely conveying that the 5G technology was currently available to customers.<ref>https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/333538/verizon-told-to-revise-first-to-5g-ads.html</ref> In May 2020 the Better Business Bureau criticized Verizon for claiming it was "building the most powerful 5G experience for America" and recommended that the company disclose the actual availability of its 5G network to its customers.<ref>https://venturebeat.com/mobile/bbb-blasts-verizon-for-5g-ads-says-coverage-claims-mislead-customers/</ref> | In March 2019 the Better Business Bureau cited that Verizon was falsely conveying that the 5G technology was currently available to customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wendy |date=21 Mar 2019 |title=Verizon Told To Revise 'First To 5G' Ads |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/333538/verizon-told-to-revise-first-to-5g-ads.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014055326/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/333538/verizon-told-to-revise-first-to-5g-ads.html |archive-date=14 Oct 2019 |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=MediaPost}}</ref> In May 2020 the Better Business Bureau criticized Verizon for claiming it was "building the most powerful 5G experience for America" and recommended that the company disclose the actual availability of its 5G network to its customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horwitz |first=Jeremy |date=14 May 2020 |title=BBB blasts Verizon for 5G ads, says coverage claims mislead customers |url=https://venturebeat.com/mobile/bbb-blasts-verizon-for-5g-ads-says-coverage-claims-mislead-customers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825225421/https://venturebeat.com/mobile/bbb-blasts-verizon-for-5g-ads-says-coverage-claims-mislead-customers/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2022 |access-date=28 May 2025 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref> | ||
===Lobbying The FCC to Waive Device Unlocking Requirements (2025)=== | |||
On May 19th, 2025 Verizon submitted a request to have the Federal Trade Commission to remove the current unlocking requirements for consumers who have purchased a device through a telecommunications provider. This requirement is a consumer protection for the device they purchased as after a device has been paid in full and has been active for at least 60 days on the network, the telecommunications provider must allow the device to be unlocked and that device is now free to connect to other carrier networks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2025 |title=Verizon makes bold move to make it harder for customers to leave |url=https://www.thestreet.com/retail/verizon-makes-bold-move-to-make-it-harder-for-customers-to-leave |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219162353/https://www.thestreet.com/retail/verizon-makes-bold-move-to-make-it-harder-for-customers-to-leave |archive-date=19 Feb 2026|access-date=28 May 2025 |website=The Street}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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===Video References:=== | ===Video References:=== | ||
#https://youtube.com/watch?v=mdZt7ox1DDs | #[https://youtube.com/watch?v=mdZt7ox1DDs No Escape: EVERY US Carrier Sold Your Location Data with 0.02% Penalties from the FCC!] | ||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:16, 15 March 2026
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Verizon
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Legal Structure | Public |
| Industry | Telecommuncations |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://verizon.com/ |
Verizon Communications, Inc. is a major American telecommunications company headquartered in New York, New York. Verizon is the second-largest telecommunications company in the world by revenue and has the largest wireless network in the United States with 146 million subscribers as of December 31, 2024.[1]
In 2017, the Electronic Frontier Foundation awarded Verizon with a 1 out of 5 stars privacy rating, the same as Verizon's largest competitors, AT&T and T-Mobile.[2]
Incidents
[edit | edit source]Supercookie insertion (2012-2015)
[edit | edit source]Verizon Wireless was caught inserting customer- or device-unique cookies into HTTP requests starting in 2012[3]
Verizon App Manager (2019-Present)
[edit | edit source]At least as far back as December of 2019, many Android devices purchased through Verizon Wireless have come with Verizon App Manager preinstalled. The software is most present on Samsung devices purchased through Verizon. Verizon App Manager is a program that downloads apps onto the device without the user's permission, often doing so while the phone is being used without warning. These apps are often low-quality free mobile games that themselves contain ads, however some more prominent apps downloaded include Disney+, Yahoo Mail, and Yelp.[4]
There is a way to temporarily disable Verizon App Manager; if the user goes to the device's Settings -> Apps -> Verizon App Manager -> Disable, it will indeed be deactivated, however it is automatically re-enabled every time the device is updated. If the user wishes to uninstall the apps downloaded by Verizon App Manager, they must do so manually, and individually. Some apps downloaded run in the background, reducing battery life and increasing RAM usage. Unlocked phones purchased from third-party sellers and subsequently put on a Verizon Wireless mobile plan do not have this issue.[5]
Selling Consumer Data (2024)
[edit | edit source]FCC found that all major telecommunications companies were illegally selling customer's location data. FCC fined AT&T $57 million, Sprint $12 million, T-Mobile $80 million, and Verizon $46 million amounting to nearly $200 million.[6][7]
This fine towards Verizon amounted to about 0.25% of their annual net income.[1]
Deceptive Advertising of 5G (2020)
[edit | edit source]In March 2019 the Better Business Bureau cited that Verizon was falsely conveying that the 5G technology was currently available to customers.[8] In May 2020 the Better Business Bureau criticized Verizon for claiming it was "building the most powerful 5G experience for America" and recommended that the company disclose the actual availability of its 5G network to its customers.[9]
Lobbying The FCC to Waive Device Unlocking Requirements (2025)
[edit | edit source]On May 19th, 2025 Verizon submitted a request to have the Federal Trade Commission to remove the current unlocking requirements for consumers who have purchased a device through a telecommunications provider. This requirement is a consumer protection for the device they purchased as after a device has been paid in full and has been active for at least 60 days on the network, the telecommunications provider must allow the device to be unlocked and that device is now free to connect to other carrier networks.[10]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Financial and Operating Information". 31 Dec 2024. Archived from the original on 24 Jan 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ Reitman, Rainey (10 Jul 2017). "Who Has Your Back? Government Data Requests 2017". EFF. Archived from the original on 10 Jul 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ Shahani, Aarti (8 Mar 2016). "Verizon Settles With FCC Over 'Supercookies' Allegations". www.npr.org. Archived from the original on 9 Mar 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ pkim168 (19 Feb 2020). "Verizon App Manager installing apps without permission". Reddit. Archived from the original on 9 Jul 2022. Retrieved 17 Oct 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Gilbert, Jon; Joy, Anu (16 May 2024). "Why does Verizon App Manager auto-install unwanted apps?". Android Police. Archived from the original on 7 Dec 2024. Retrieved 17 Oct 2025.
- ↑ "FCC FINES AT&T, SPRINT, T-MOBILE, AND VERIZON NEARLY $200 MILLION FOR ILLEGALLY SHARING ACCESS TO CUSTOMERS' LOCATION DATA" (PDF). 29 Apr 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ Shepardson, David (29 Apr 2024). "FCC fines US wireless carriers over illegal location data sharing". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ Davis, Wendy (21 Mar 2019). "Verizon Told To Revise 'First To 5G' Ads". MediaPost. Archived from the original on 14 Oct 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ Horwitz, Jeremy (14 May 2020). "BBB blasts Verizon for 5G ads, says coverage claims mislead customers". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 25 Aug 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ↑ "Verizon makes bold move to make it harder for customers to leave". The Street. 5 May 2025. Archived from the original on 19 Feb 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2025.