How to Prevent Major Phone Carriers From Collecting and Selling your Data – Guide
Companies like AT&T, T-Mobile (which now owns Sprint and MetroPCS), and Verizon track your location, web and app usage, and then use that information to sell ads. Worse, carrier tracking is turned on by default for all users. This happens even if you turn iOS app tracking transparency settings off or Android ad personalization settings off. These settings generally prevent apps from collecting certain data, but your service provider tracks you through network activity instead of an app. ..
The company offers its customers the option to cancel, but they’re so reluctant that most users probably won’t know they have that option — or that data collection is the default behavior to start with. Verizon, for example, sends a tedious random number text message that, Inc points out, looks like a phishing scam or low-income malware attack, including the exact kind of undefined link that we constantly advise against clicking.
How to cancel AT&T data sharing
AT&T automatically chooses to share data that is not as intrusive as T-Mobilede, but you should still turn it off to protect your privacy.
From the AT&T website
To log into your AT&T account, please enter your username and password.
The instructions on the page say to follow the instructions.
How to cancel Verizon data sharing
Verizon automatically chooses to share data that is not as intrusive as T-Mobilede, but you should still turn it off to protect your privacy.
From the Verizon website
To log into your Verizon account, please enter your username and password.
Scroll to “Relevant Mobile Advertising” for more information on mobile advertising.
Please do not participate in Relevant Mobile Advertising.
Save changes
From the My Verizon app
Settings > Preferences > Privacy
Remove all mobile advertising from your device. This will disable any offers or services that are not relevant to you.
How to opt out of T-Mobile data sharing
from the T-Mobile local on the internet network
To log into your T-Mobile account, please enter your username and password.
To manage your advertising and analytics settings, click My Account> Profile> Privacy & Notifications> Advertising & Analytics. ..
Disable the ability to use my data to make ads more relevant to me.
from the T-Mobile application
The more tab you tap, the more options are available to you.
Tap into the power of advertising and analytics to help you better understand your customers and grow your business. ..
Disable the ability to use my data to make ads more relevant to me.
Mark your information as “Don’t Sell”
In order to keep your data and plans affordable, T-Mobile requires that you not sell your data or plans to other companies. If you do, you may be subject to penalties and/or lawsuits.
Log on to your T-Mobile, Metro or Sprint account and use the following code to get a free month of service: T-MOBILE CODE: FREEMAN
How to choose not to share Sprint data
From the Sprint website
To log into your Sprint account, please enter your username and password.
In Preferences, you can control how your account is used. You can choose to have your account used by the company or you can choose to use it yourself.
To manage advertising and analytics preferences, click “Under All About My Account” and then click “Manage Advertising and Analytics Preferences.” ..
Disable the ability to use my data to make ads more relevant to me.
Mark your information as “Don’t Sell”
In order to keep your data and plans affordable, T-Mobile requires that you not sell your data or plans to other companies. If you do, you may be subject to penalties and/or lawsuits.
To sign in to your T-Mobile, Metro or Sprint account, you will need your username and password. ..
How to cancel Metro data sharing
from the subway mobile local on the internet network
Metro is a free, convenient, and reliable transit system that connects riders to their destinations. Logging into your account allows you to manage your trips, view your history, and more. ..
You can change your network and location settings in Account > Network and Location Settings. ..
Disable the ability to use my data to make ads more relevant to me.
From the MyMetro app
You can change your network settings to improve your Wi-Fi connection. ..
Facebook is testing a new feature that will allow users to disable the use of their data to make ads more relevant to them. This comes after reports surfaced that Facebook was using user data to target ads. Facebook is testing a new feature that will allow users to disable the use of their data by third-party advertisers. This comes after reports surfaced that Facebook was using user data to target ads. ..
Mark your information as “Don’t Sell”
In order to keep your data and plans affordable, T-Mobile requires that you not sell your data or plans to other companies. If you do, you may be subject to penalties and/or lawsuits.
To sign in to your T-Mobile, Metro or Sprint account, you will need your username and password. ..
Final note
This guide is designed to help you prevent major phone carriers from collecting and selling your data. If you have any questions about this article, please don’t hesitate to ask us. Additionally, please share this guide with your friends so they can also benefit from it.
