Want Online Privacy? Pay the Man.

AT&T certainly knows how to take advantage of their customers. Last year, they started charging users to protect their privacy. Basically, if a customer did not wish to be spied on and wanted to opt out of AT&T's Internet Preferences Program, AT&T charged them upwards of $800/year. In other words, AT&T put a very steep price on privacy.

After widespread criticism, AT&T stopped charging a privacy fee, but now that their merger is on the verge of approval, the company stated that the highly controversial charge may, in fact, return.

Although AT&T Senior Vice President Bob Quinn said in a recent interview that this policy will give customers more control and it is simply an “ad-supported Internet service,” this new pricing system actually gives consumers less control. It's hard enough trying to understand the cost of privacy and what is at stake, try navigating the plethora of options to find the opt-out function.

With less regulatory oversight than ever, other companies may consider exploring this option. As is often the case with telecommunications companies, the consumer is usually the victim of unethical business practices.

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Article summary

Article: Want Online Privacy?.

Topic: Why pay more for online privacy?.

Published: Jul 26, 2017.

Detail: AT&T certainly knows how to take advantage of their customers.

Detail: After widespread criticism.

Detail: Although AT&T Senior Vice President Bob Quinn said in a recent interview

Detail: With less regulatory oversight than ever, other companies may consider exploring this option.

Article details

AT&T certainly knows how to take advantage of their customers. Last year, they started charging users

After widespread criticism, AT&T stopped charging a privacy fee, but now that their merger

Although AT&T Senior Vice President Bob Quinn said in a recent interview that this policy

With less regulatory oversight than ever, other companies may consider exploring this option. As is often

Billshark negotiates internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills. Our experts handle providers

This Billshark blog page focuses on why pay more for online privacy? learn smart strategies

Billshark blog content covers recurring monthly bills, subscriptions, budgeting decisions, and provider-related savings opportunities for consumers.

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

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  • Context: This Billshark blog page focuses on why pay more for online privacy?.
  • Context: Billshark blog content covers recurring monthly bills, subscriptions, budgeting decisions, and provider-related savings opportunities for consumers.
  • Context: Readers can use Billshark articles to compare service costs.
  • Context: Each blog page is part of Billshark's larger money-saving library.
  • Context: These articles are designed to help readers make better decisions about subscriptions.