Mobile Carriers are Still Lying to You

By Michel Mora · Jan 23, 2019 1 min read

Wireless Privacy

Carriers broke their promise on your location data

Even after pledging to stop, major wireless carriers were still selling customers’ real-time location data — and it ended up in the hands of bounty hunters who could track most phones in the country.

1 A Promise Carriers Couldn’t Keep

Even when mobile carriers make a promise, they still can’t be trusted. In 2018, the FCC examined the actions of California company, LocationSmart, that identifies the locations of phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Following a security problem that leaked cell phone users’ real-time location, some carriers vowed to stop selling location data to third-party data brokers.

2 Senator Wyden Sounds the Alarm

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to carriers identifying potential abuse of private customer data. In a letter to AT&T in May 2018, Senator Wyden wrote that, “Securus Technologies, a major provider of correctional-facility telephone services, purchases real-time information from major wireless carriers and provides information, via a self-serve web portal, to the government for nothing more than the legal equivalent of a pinky promise.” He continued that Securus confirmed that “its web portal enables surveillance of customers of every major U.S. wireless carrier.”

3 The Promise That Was Broken

In addition to the issue of unchecked government surveillance, selling customer data creates an opportunity for rampant abuse and potential safety breaches. However, giant corporations have their eye on profit rather than their customers’ safety. After attention from both Senator Wyden and the FCC, all four wireless carriers agreed to stop selling their customers’ location data to third-party data brokers. Unfortunately, the carriers did not follow through on their promise. According to Ars Technica, a recent report by Motherboard asserts that “T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T are [still] selling access to their customers’; location data and that data is ending up in the hands of bounty hunters and others not authorized to possess it, letting them track most phones in the country.” It is unclear if Verizon is still selling their data.

Major carriers pledged to end these practices, but it appears to have been more empty promises to consumers.

Senator Wyden sees the issue clearly. He wrote on Twitter that “Major carriers pledged to end these practices, but it appears to have been more empty promises to consumers.”

4 What You Can Do About It

If you’re frustrated with the shady behavior of wireless carriers, contact Billshark. We’ll take a bite out of your bills so you never overpay.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are mobile carriers still selling customers’ location data?

Yes. Despite pledging to stop, a report by Motherboard cited by Ars Technica asserts that T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T are still selling access to their customers’ location data. That data has been ending up in the hands of bounty hunters and others not authorized to possess it, letting them track most phones in the country. It is unclear whether Verizon is still selling its data.

Which carriers were involved in selling location data?

The location data was tied to phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. All four wireless carriers agreed to stop selling their customers’ location data to third-party data brokers, but the reporting indicates T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T continued. It is unclear if Verizon is still selling its data.

What was LocationSmart and why did the FCC examine it?

LocationSmart is a California company that identifies the locations of phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. In 2018, the FCC examined its actions after a security problem leaked cell phone users’ real-time location. Following that leak, some carriers vowed to stop selling location data to third-party data brokers.

What did Senator Ron Wyden say about the carriers?

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to carriers about potential abuse of private customer data. In a May 2018 letter to AT&T, he said Securus Technologies purchases real-time information from major wireless carriers and provides it to the government for “the legal equivalent of a pinky promise.” He later wrote on Twitter that the carriers’ pledges appeared to be “more empty promises to consumers.”

Why is selling location data a safety concern?

Beyond the issue of unchecked government surveillance, selling customer data creates an opportunity for rampant abuse and potential safety breaches. The article notes that giant corporations have their eye on profit rather than their customers’ safety, and that leaked location data ended up with people not authorized to possess it, including bounty hunters able to track most phones in the country.

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Article summary.

Article: Mobile Carriers are Still Lying to.

Topic: Wireless carriers pledged to stop selling your real-time location data.

Section: Table of Contents.

Section: 1 A Promise Carriers Couldn’t Keep.

Section: 2 Senator Wyden Sounds the Alarm.

Section: 3 The Promise That Was Broken.

Section: 4 What You Can Do About.

Easy notes.

This page covers mobile carriers are still lying.
Read one short part at a time.
Start with the main point.
Take one clear step next.
Use the short list first.
Use the short headings in order.

Article details.

Even after pledging to stop, major wireless carriers were still selling customers’ real-time location data —.

Even when mobile carriers make a promise, they still can’t be trusted. In 2018, the FCC.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to carriers identifying potential abuse of private customer data.

In addition to the issue of unchecked government surveillance, selling customer data creates an opportunity.

Senator Wyden sees the issue clearly. He wrote on Twitter that “Major carriers pledged to end.

If you’re frustrated with the shady behavior of wireless carriers, contact Billshark . We’ll take.

Yes. Despite pledging to stop, a report by Motherboard cited by Ars Technica asserts that T-Mobile.

The location data was tied to phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. All four.

LocationSmart is a California company that identifies the locations of phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to carriers about potential abuse of private customer data.

Beyond the issue of unchecked government surveillance, selling customer data creates an opportunity for rampant abuse.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

This Billshark blog page focuses on wireless carriers pledged to stop selling your real-time location data.

Readers can use Billshark articles to compare service costs, understand billing trends, and discover practical ways.

Each blog page is part of Billshark's larger money-saving library, which includes provider comparisons, cancellation guides.

These articles are designed to help readers make better decisions about subscriptions, telecom services, recurring monthly.

Quick takeaways.

Section: Frequently Asked Questions.
Section: Are mobile carriers still selling customers’ location data?.
Section: Which carriers were involved in selling location data?.
Section: What was LocationSmart and why did the FCC examine it?.
Section: What did Senator Ron Wyden say about the carriers?.
Section: Why is selling location data a safety concern?.
Section: Mobile Carrier Reviews: Find the Best Coverage for.
Section: How Net Neutrality Could Affect Your Internet Use.
Section: Slow Data: How to Spot and Avoid Wireless Throttling.
Detail: Even after pledging to stop.
Detail: Even when mobile carriers make a promise, they still can’t be trusted.
Detail: Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Detail: In addition to the issue of unchecked government surveillance.
Detail: Senator Wyden sees the issue clearly.
Detail: If you’re frustrated with the shady behavior of wireless carriers, contact Billshark .
Detail: Yes.
Detail: The location data was tied to phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Detail: LocationSmart is a California company that identifies the locations of phones connected with AT&T.
Detail: Beyond the issue of unchecked government surveillance.
Detail: Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.
Detail: Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.
Detail: Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.
Key point: Mobile Carriers Are Still Lying To.
Key point: A Promise Carriers Couldn’t Keep.
Key point: Senator Wyden Sounds the Alarm.
Key point: The Promise That Was Broken.
Key point: What You Can Do About.
Related: Blog - All Categories.
Related: Mobile & Wireless Mobile Carrier Reviews.
Related: Net Neutrality How Net Neutrality Could Affect Your Internet Use.

Questions and answers.

Are mobile carriers still selling customers’ location data?

Yes.

Despite pledging to stop, a report by Motherboard cited by Ars Technica asserts that T-Mobile, Sprint.

That data has been ending up in the hands of bounty hunters and others not authorized.

Which carriers were involved in selling location data?

The location data was tied to phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

All four wireless carriers agreed to stop selling their customers’ location data to third-party data brokers.

It is unclear if Verizon is still selling its data.

What was LocationSmart and why did the FCC examine it?

LocationSmart is a California company that identifies the locations of phones connected with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile.

In 2018, the FCC examined its actions after a security problem leaked cell phone users’ real-time.

Following that leak, some carriers vowed to stop selling location data to third-party data brokers.

What did Senator Ron Wyden say about the carriers?

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to carriers about potential abuse of private customer data.

In a May 2018 letter to AT&T, he said Securus Technologies purchases real-time information from major.

Why is selling location data a safety concern?

Beyond the issue of unchecked government surveillance, selling customer data creates an opportunity for rampant abuse.

The article notes that giant corporations have their eye on profit rather than their customers’ safety.

Mobile Carriers are Still Lying to You

1 A Promise Carriers Couldn’t Keep

2 Senator Wyden Sounds the Alarm

3 The Promise That Was Broken

4 What You Can Do About It

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mobile carriers still selling customers’ location data?

Which carriers were involved in selling location data?

What was LocationSmart and why did the FCC examine it?

What did Senator Ron Wyden say about the carriers?

Why is selling location data a safety concern?

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