NYT/Reuters: Privacy Advocates Slam AT&T on Customer Records

[DeepModem Mom]

Privacy Advocates Slam AT&T on Customer Records
By REUTERS
Published: June 22, 2006

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Privacy advocates slammed AT&T Inc. (T.N) on Thursday for declaring that it owned its Internet and video customers' account information and could hand the data over to law enforcement if needed.

AT&T on Wednesday updated its privacy policy, which came as the company and other phone operators faced lawsuits claiming they aided a U.S. government domestic spying program by inappropriately handing over millions of call records.

"My understanding is that they will be monitoring television viewing habits, and that it's a condition of service that customers can't opt out of," said Paul Stephens, policy analyst at Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

"It's frightening," he said.

In the policy update, which applied to AT&T's more than 7 million Internet and video customers, the company said it could collect usage information from subscribers, including the Web pages they view, the programs they record, and the games they play.

Customers must agree to the terms, which take effect on Friday, before using AT&T's services. AT&T's previous policy guidelines did not explicitly say the company owned customer data....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-telecoms-att.html?_r=1&oref=login

[GodlessBiker]

1. Oh please please please, AT&T customers quit AT&T.

This news has got to be broadcasted so people know what they are agreeing to. I wouldn't be surprised if internet customers just have to click yes in a dialog box.

[Miss Chybil]

2. How can this stand? Especially for people who have no other option? nt

[bigluckyfeet]

3. AT&T Privacy Notice

AT&T Privacy Notice




AT&T is a TRUSTe licensee. TRUSTe is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to build user's trust and confidence in the Internet by promoting the use of fair information practices. Because AT&T wants to demonstrate its commitment to your privacy, it has agreed to disclose its information practices and have its privacy practices reviewed for compliance by TRUSTe.



AT&T Privacy Notice
Scope
This privacy policy addresses the privacy of AT&T* family of companies retail customers and Web visitors in the United States - except for Cingular® Wireless and YELLOWPAGES.COM, which operate under their own privacy policies. More

Additional privacy policies apply to certain AT&T services, including AT&T Yahoo! Dial, High Speed Internet and Small Business, AT&T U-versesm services and AT&T | DISH Network. For more information on these services please see the AT&T Yahoo!® and Video Services & AT&T | DISH Network policies. More

* AT&T Inc. was created on Nov. 18, 2005, through a merger of SBC Communications Inc. and AT&T Corp. We continue to undergo branding changes to bring together all former SBC and AT&T brands and this privacy policy applies irrespective of AT&T or SBC branding.







Note: This page provides highlights of the AT&T Privacy Policy. View full text of the policy. (Updated June 16, 2006.)

What Information We Collect

We collect personal identifying information regarding our customers and Web visitors, including name, street address, e-mail address, telephone number, billing, payment, usage, credit and transaction information, as well as demographic information. More
We also collect Web usage information when Web visitors access our Web sites, including IP address, Web browser and operating system types, Web pages visited on our Web sites, time spent on our Web pages, and return visits to our Web sites. We may combine Web usage information with personal identifying information. More
We do not design our Web sites to attract children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal identifying information from anyone under the age of 18. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. More
How We Use Information

We use personal identifying information to provide, confirm, change, bill, monitor, and resolve problems with the quality of AT&T-offered products and services. We also use the information, including aggregated information, to develop, market and sell our products and services. More
We do not provide personal identifying information to third parties for the marketing of their products and services without your consent. We may provide the information to third parties, such as shipping companies, AT&T-authorized marketing agents, Web designers and analysts, so that they may fulfill specific functions or services in providing certain AT&T-offered products and services. We may also provide the information, where permitted or required by law, in order to enforce our rights or protect our property, as well as comply with court orders, subpoenas or other legal or regulatory requirements. More
We use Web usage information to enable the functioning of our Web site and to expand and improve our Web visitors' online experience. When we combine the Web usage information with personal identifying information, we use it to provide a better online experience and to market and provide advertising about goods and services that may be of particular interest. More
We, or a third party acting on our behalf, may use “cookies” and “Web beacons” to tailor and improve the Web content we deliver to you, make recommendations based on information you previously provided and gauge the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and e-mail correspondence. More
We publish customers' names, addresses and telephone numbers in directories and make the information available through directory assistance and the Internet. More Customers have the option of choosing to have a non-published or non-listed number. More

[dmr]

4. The policy is extortion

I guess there are those that will say that you have the right to say no. But then you are without service.

In order to receive service, you have to sign away your rights to privacy.

Most Americans like to kick back to watch the news, sports, a movie, and a favorite TV show. Most Americans like their Internet too. It's pretty damn bad when a willing company can legally extort your privacy rights away - all with the Executive Branch's urging and blessings.

[kurth]

5. Big Business + Big Government = Marriage Made In Heaven

or Hell.