Verizon is the cellular operators, from the United States (U.S.), the world's first to admit that they sell customer data, such as name, gender, age, and address of the customer to sell to businesses. These data are useful for third parties to conduct an analysis of age, gender, and location of their prospective customers. In fact, Verizon can provide reports to third parties about its customers anywhere to go, based on tracking of mobile phone networks.
Along with the development of technology and the proliferation of smart phones, the business of selling data to third parties is increasingly rampant. All advertisers are beginning to switch to market mobile devices, especially smart phones, with the data received from mobile operators.
"The web page that we visit and every search we do, is the closest thing our mind. But the most personal information can be recorded and sold. If Verizon managed to achieve many advantages of selling this data, I believe all mobile operators will follow, "said Kennish.
Based on the results of the study or the BIA Kelsey in March 2011, revenue from mobile advertising in the United States could reach 42.5 billion U.S. dollars per year since 2015. This is a lucrative business as well as challenging.
In addition to Verizon, Sprint also admitted selling their customer data to third parties. Sprint could even sell data that is always visited web addresses of mobile users, up to what the browser is always used. This information is important for third-party website to determine which ones will be posted the ad.However, selling customer information is an ancient way that is not exclusive. Brian Kennish, a former engineer who developed the Double Click the wireless network ad servers that mobile companies have been selling customer data to third parties for over a decade.(kompas)
(And/NewsTechnology)
