AT&T ends controversial tracking program

AT&T has decided to back down from a controversial tracking program that monitors its users’ mobile device app and Internet activity.

“It has been phased off our network,” an AT&T spokeswoman told ProPublica.

{mosads}In late October, researchers discovered AT&T and Verizon were inserting an undeletable tracking number into their users’ mobile devices. Even customers that opted out still had their activity tracked.

Advertisers use the data to deliver targeted ads.

The method — which the digital advocate Electronic Frontier Foundation dubbed the “permacookie” — is meant to cover the shortcomings of the traditional tracking cookie, which can be easily erased or blocked.  

Verizon conceded the tracking number could not be deleted, but explained it didn’t use the information to create individual customer profiles.

“None of the data that is used in the program is personally-identifiable,” the telecommunications company said in its privacy policy.

And Verizon assured opting-out customers that they would not receive any targeted advertising based on the data collected, even though the data would continue to be collected.

Verizon is still using the program, a spokeswoman told ProPublica.

AT&T has not ruled out using the program in the future, but said it would give customers the option to not have the tracking program inserted on their device.

The amount of personal data tech companies collect has come under scrutiny after former contractor Edward Snowden revealed the National Security Agency was compelling companies to hand over customer data.

Companies like Apple and Google have increased encryption on their phones in the hopes of making the data inaccessible to government officials. Intelligence agencies have cautioned this practice could interfere with legitimate criminal investigations.