I noticed when a Verizon app was updated on my phone it kept asking me to sign in. The only thing I was using one of their apps for was to keep an eye on data across the 4 phones on my account. Now a second app was next to it asking me to sign in. Then I got this email from Verizon that cleared up the mystery. They want to track all the websites I visit on my desktop PCs and send ads to my phone. Clever and hell no.
At Verizon Wireless, your privacy is our priority. Our Privacy Policy has details about information we collect and how we use it. We're enhancing our Relevant Mobile Advertising program in a way that can help marketers reach you with messages that may be more interesting to you.
In addition to the customer information that's currently part of the program, we will soon use an anonymous, unique identifier we create when you register on our websites. This identifier may allow an advertiser to use information they have about your visits to websites from your desktop computer to deliver marketing messages to mobile devices on our network.
Information that identifies you personally is not shared outside of Verizon as part of this program.
You have a choice about whether to participate in this marketing program. To learn more about the relevant mobile advertising program, you can visit our FAQs You can visit our privacy choices page to notify us if you do not want to participate or call (866) 211-0874 to set your preferences.
Call the number and put in your main cellphone number. Listen to the options closely and you can opt out of all tracking ads to all phones in your account.
Update December 2015: After 20 years as a loyal Verizon Wireless customer (originally Bell Atlantic Mobile) I got tired of constantly being squeezed for every penny and renewal time. I dropped them and went to another carrier for dramatically less money, brand new top of the line phones, 10 x the data, and coverage that is at least as good wherever I go. They flat out refused to offer me any incentive to stay. AFTER I left I got emails with special offers ... AFTER. Apparently that move helped when I threatened to cut the FIOS cord. They dropped the price right away on that.