Outrage: An Open Letter to the FCC
SecurityDude, CISSP-ISSAP is an IT consultant, Security & Privacy Advocate and blogger at large with over 20 years IT experience.
My post last week about Verizon Wireless’ impending disclosure of subscriber call information (CPNI) has struck a raw nerve with hundreds of readers. I would like to offer the letter below as a template you can copy and paste into an email to the FCC Commissioners.
Email Subject: Verizon Wireless CPNI Disclosure
Dear Chairman Martin, and esteemed FCC Commissioners,
I am writing to express my strong concern that Verizon Wireless is able to subvert the will of the people and established Federal law by simply including a leaflet in my monthly bill advising me that if I do not Opt-Out of CPNI disclosure within 30-days receipt of the notice, I will be Opted-In automatically and with no further notice. Verizon will no doubt snare hundreds of thousands of subscribers who are simply too busy, or fail to recognize the importance of the CPNI announcement.
You are aware that Federal Law prohibits telecommunications carriers from disclosing CPNI information. Verizon Wireless’ outrageous action is proof that carriers will not act in the best interests of their customers without strong Federal oversight such as that afforded by the Federal Communications Commission.
Even if a subscriber voluntarily Opts-In to CPNI disclosure, we should be concerned about the privacy of called parties who are subscribers of other wireless carriers not party to the CPNI disclosure agreement sought by Verizon Wireless? What if they do not wish their conversations disclosed? How are their legal rights to privacy protected?
I respectfully urge the FCC Commissioners to take immediate action to block Verizon’s CPNI disclosure from taking effect.
Sincerely,
Wireless Subscriber Under the Protection of the Laws of the United States & Protection of the US Federal Communications Commission
Here are the email addresses of the FCC Chairman and Commissioners:
Chairman Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB@fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein@fcc.gov
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: dtaylortateweb@fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
Additional Resources
(Added 10/25/07)
New York Times Article - Verizon Letter Stirs Privacy Debate
Verizon CPNI Notice - Posted on Verizon Wireless’ Legal Section
Full CPNI Notice - Complete notice
October 24, 2007 at 5:02 pm
[...] Network Instruments has been following this issue closely and has posted a sample e-mail that anyone can send FCC commissioners: [...]
October 24, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I do not want my personal information sent to anyone under any circumstances. Verizon should be slapped very hard for even thinking about doing this. Bad Verizon.
October 25, 2007 at 5:58 am
[...] by calling an 800 number before their information would be shared. Privacy advocates are circulating an open letter calling on the FCC to block this practice, arguing that the law prohibits Verizon from sharing these records. The FCC, however, states [...]
October 25, 2007 at 7:50 am
Hi Robert,
I whole-heartedly agree. I hope you and other incensed readers will join the email campaign asking for immediate action from the FCC in this matter.
Regards,
SecurityDude
October 25, 2007 at 9:37 am
[...] call this vexing is a bit of an understatement. I recommend reading more here on how you can contact the FCC to complain yourself. Also (thanks to gethuman.com) here’s [...]
October 25, 2007 at 12:59 pm
[...] Now’s the time to write to the FCC, but it’s also the time to slap Verizon if you’re a mobile customer of Verizon Wireless. Outrage: An Open Letter to the FCC [...]
October 25, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Bloggers take on Verizon Wireless’ impending disclosure of subscriber call information (CPNI)
Network Observations has sent an email to FCC Commissioners and also provide a template for you to use to send your own email to FCC;
“Email Subject: Verizon Wireless CPNI Disclosure
October 25, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I find it irresponsible that a company should feel it has the right to sell information without the concerned party’s permission. I believe that the right to privacy is impinged upon but this action. Verizon certainly earns a sufficient amount of money in the charges that it makes.
October 26, 2007 at 7:09 am
This is unbelievable! Why can’t anything stay private! Why is it our (the consumers) responsibility to have to worry about these issues. If we are customers of a company why are they not worried about losing their customers. I don’t want people calling me or using my information to advertise to me. If I wanted the information I would look for it. Enough is enough!
October 26, 2007 at 8:02 am
Nothing is sacred anymore! Privacy does not exist when corporate America want to make a buck. The cellular companies are making billions of dollars on their monthly service charges. Will they never be satisfied? They want trillions instead of billions. Corporate greed at its finest!
October 26, 2007 at 10:26 am
Just tired to opt out and system was “unable to process my request at this time.” Great, so now I have to waste even more of my time on this. Thankfully our contract has expired and we’re free to change carriers w/o any early termination penalties.
October 26, 2007 at 10:38 am
Dear GreenEggsAndHam,
If the FCC’s mail server just collapsed under the weight of CPNI complaints, I think we have collectively sent them a strong message.
To opt-out, please call Verizon’s special number: 1-800-333-9956.
I just called it and verified it is functioning.
My Verizon contract ends next month and I plan to vote with my feet by selecting a new wireless carrier.
Regards,
SecurityDude
October 26, 2007 at 11:47 am
I find it absolutely offensive that I have to be so “on guard’ against privacy invasion from businesses that I “must” trust with my information. Not only do I not like having my personal information sold, I don’t like the idea that I have to worry about that happening. They (Verizon and any other company) should have to contact customers personally and get signed consent to sell “ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION.” I don’t like that any company can assume that they automatically have the right to sell information just becuause they have it as a result of doing normal business. What they have is a right to sell customers a service and not use customer information for profit. I also think it is deceptive to hide such options in long fine print documents, most people would tend not to read. Most people hope for simple honesty and we’re not getting that.
October 26, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I just called Verizon’s CPNI “Opt-Out” phone line (800-333-9956). I got thru easily, but when I entered my cell # & zip code the message said my account is password protected. So now I’ll have to go home & dig out this seldom-used pw (if I can find it) and try again. I’m sure I’ll have to do this 3 times, once for each of our family members on the account. All this wasting of my time to protect my privacy when it should only be legal to use my info if I opt in!! I can’t believe these #@&^!! are doing this to us.
October 26, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Hi Guy,
Trust me, I understand your frustration. I have been a Verizon Wireless customer for six years. In Verizon’s defense though, the password protection they require prevents an anonymous party from opting you IN.
If you call 611 on your wireless phone, they should be able to supply you with the information you need to Opt-Out without having to go home and dig through paperwork. Calls to 611 are airtime free.
Regards,
SecurityDude
November 1, 2007 at 12:04 pm
This should be blocked. No-one should have the right to sell private info between two customers.
November 6, 2007 at 11:12 am
DO NOT SELL MY CELL NUMBER UNLESS YOU’RE PREPARED TO PAY MY BILLS.
November 18, 2007 at 12:09 am
I believe this covert manuver on the part of Verizon is unfortunately “business as usual” for many of our corporate & govt agencies and reveals a systemic problem of LOW-ETHICS.
The time for honest business practices is NOW or face EXTINCTION! And I certainly hope Verizon’s CEO, Ivan Seidenberg, values his personal integrity & leadership in this instance as greatly, if not equal to, the bottom line.
December 9, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Integrity, honest business practices, our right to personal privacy and just plain common decency are no long alive and well at Verizon. Regardless of the outcome of all this, I shall be finding another carrier. My life is far too full for me to have to contend with such outrageous practices instituted by this money hungry company. I resent it, I abhor it, and I shall NOT TOLERATE IT!!! I DEMAND THIS BE STOPPED! I am on my way to the closest Verizon store to express my concerns and outrage in personna. Only a sales clerk you say? Tough. You work for a company, you must take the flack when that company institutes such covert practices.
December 27, 2007 at 1:24 pm
I am absolutely against sale of telephone numbers. I get enough unwanted telephone calls from solicitors.
December 30, 2007 at 12:45 pm
What’s up? I am against sale of telephone numbers. I don’t want solicitors to call my home nor my cell phone. This is crazy! Maybe I should change from Verizon to a company that respects consumers privacy!