Visible mobile

"We install system software on some wireless devices which may: collect information about network and device conditions including location, battery life and apps on the device. automatically install apps or software when you activate your device, during certain operating system upgrades and with your consent at later times. Some apps installed or updated on your device in this way do not appear as icons on your device screen because of their limited utility and may operate on your device when it is connected to Wi-Fi, even if the device is deactivated from the wireless network."

Verizon installs hidden system software on devices that collects location, battery, and app inventory data, and can silently install apps — including invisible apps that run even on deactivated devices connected to Wi-Fi.

"We collect cell tower location information. Based on what you have allowed, we may also collect Wi-Fi, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and other location information, for example, through Verizon apps you use. We collect network location information about your mobile devices so that we can provide your services and operate our network. If you do not want this information collected about your mobile devices, please turn your mobile devices off."

Verizon collects cell tower location data continuously with no opt-out other than turning off your device entirely, plus GPS and Wi-Fi location data through apps. Location data is also used in advertising and insights programs.

"We may disclose, or allow certain third-party advertising and analytics companies to collect personal information such as your email address, information about your purchase of products and services from us, and information about your activity on our sites and in our apps. These companies may use your email address, or other information they collect to create one or more identifiers associated with you, your household or your device(s) both on and off our sites and in our apps."

Verizon allows third-party ad and analytics companies to directly collect personal information from users and create persistent identifiers that track them across Verizon and non-Verizon properties.

"Our Custom Experience program uses information about sites you visit and apps you use on your mobile device to help us better personalize our communications with you, give you more relevant product and service recommendations, and develop plans, services, and offers that are more appealing to you. You are included in the program unless you opt out. Our Custom Experience Plus program uses a broader set of information for the same purposes, including information about sites you visit and apps you use, your Verizon Fios services, location information, and Customer Proprietary Network Information."

Verizon tracks browsing and app usage across your devices by default through the Custom Experience program (opt-out) and combines it with Fios TV, location, and call data in Custom Experience Plus to build comprehensive user profiles.

"Our policies require that we retain records for as long as they are needed for legal, tax, audit, investigative, and security purposes and then securely delete or destroy them. We incorporate personal information into different types of records, not always by distinct data elements. For example, your name is part of your account, billing, technical support and call detail records."

Verizon provides no specific retention timelines, using broad justifications like 'legal, tax, audit, investigative, and security purposes' that could allow indefinite retention, and notes personal data is embedded across many record types making targeted deletion difficult.

"This policy applies to Verizon Wireless, Verizon Value, and Visible customers and to the visitors of websites where this policy is posted, including for example, within mobile apps we offer. Verizon Value includes Clearway Wireless for Business, GoSmart Mobile, Net10 Wireless, Page Plus, SafeLink Wireless, Simple Mobile, Straight Talk Wireless, Total Wireless, Tracfone and Walmart Family Mobile."

The privacy policy contains no provisions about how changes to the policy will be communicated to users or whether consent is required, meaning Verizon can modify terms without meaningful notice.