What Kind Of Info Does Verizon Get When We Call *228?

I was just wondering; what does Verizon get to see on our phone when we call *228 to get a PRL update, or just to redo the program update? Are they just putting a fresh PRL list on the phone, or are they then taking a clone of the phone, which would then give them access to all of the content we have?

So basically, what can Verizon see and not see? What level of privacy do we have? Not just during an update, but all of the time. Can Verizon just log onto my phone one day and read my text messages, see my personal photos, or see when I last played Dig dug or something? With BREW, they could see all types of personal content

Remember this rule of thumb, anything (info) you put out in public, will never really be private. When your info is sent out of your home on paper, over the phone, over the internet, threw cell lines, tax returns, ez-passes, bank accounts, credit cards, and anything else you can think of, don't expect total privacy. Welcome to the world of Hi-Tech!

I know that, but I want to know what Verizon can see. I remember the Paris Hilton Sidekick hack a few years back. When someone working at T-Mobile hacked Paris Hilton's Sidekick and posted all of her photos and personal content online for everyone to see. I know the Sidekick service is difference, because it runs off of a server; instead off of just the phone. But I still want to know what Verizon can see and not see.

It's not a nice thought not knowing what Verizon can see. If I put a nude custom wallpaper on my phone, I don't want Verizon to see that. Or if I have a personal note on my phone, I don't want Verizon to be able to read that as well. I don't even want them to know when I play certain games on my phone. I want my privacy.

Keep in mind you have people who make 5,6, and $10.00 and hour jobs with access to all kinds of so call private info, or the ability to over see such private info, *228 would be the least of my concerns, but you never know.

I know, but I am asking about this 1 topic right now.

i don't think anyone really knows, they may have a opinion or good guess, but unless they work for verizon or knows someone who does with knowledge of the *228 feature, everything else would be speculation. hope this helps.

That is why I posted the question. There has to be people that work for Verizon in here that could answer this question. I have tried to probe it out of the reps, but it's hard to get any full answer without seeming like I am doing something wrong.

I have been paranoid about cell phone privacy ever since the days of analog signals. Back then anyone could listen in. Now things are more secure, but with Bush in the White House, I know all types of info have been turned over to the government. I opted-out of the info sharing when I first signed up with Verizon, but that only stops the sharing of my personal info between partners. When someone calls *228, they are making a connection with Verizon on a software level. So I just wonder what info they get out of that.

I'm paranoid anyway, so I always think someone is watching me. But my cell phone is my personal property and I don't want anyone checking through it without my permission.

Your funny, you really have no idea how well compenstated employees of verizon wireless are. People like you make me laugh. Try doubling the highest number there. As for what *228 does.... it only updates your PRL list and reprograms your phone service code. IT does not create a clone of your phone for all the world to see. As far as the ability to login to your phone... are you hiding something? lol. That ability simply does not exist thru vzw. I suppose a hacker could possibly hack into your phone, just as much as your home pc although I never heard of this. What is on your phone is private.

[quote=spike5000;1289679]
Why are you picking a fight with me for asking a question that you clearly yourself don't even know the answer to? I'm not saying an employee is going to hack my account, I just wonder what info Verizon gets. Companies are always looking to make extra money, and monitoring our calling and usage habits gives them something they can sell to marketers. Lots of companies do this. If you have Tivo, then every show you watch, delete, pause, everything is monitored and sold to advertisers. And since they know who you are, that info is worth a lot! But you the customer never see a dime! In fact you pay for the service!! So Tivo is making money from you the customer and from selling your personal habits and info!!
Also since new customers are sent a form from Verizon stating this info is shared with other companies, I want to know what info and how they got it.
So me asking a very simple question isn't odd and it is not me putting anyone down. I just have this idea; that if your making extra money from me by watching me; then I want something in return. I don't like the idea of someone watching what I do; selling that; making a profit; and I'm not even aware of it. So just trying to make sure my phone isn't being used as Spyware is a logical question. I'm not trying to hide, but I don't want my privacy invaded so Verizon can get even richer by selling my usage info to advertisers. If they are doing this; I want to know what info is shared, with who, and I want something in return. Because there making extra profit from this info sharing. So is that such an odd thing to ask for? Would you want someone to watch you every moment of the day, recording your habits, then selling that info to unknown people? they get rich, and you never even know.

I don't think you understand what I am saying. Your taking it personally as some kind of attack on Verizon and their employees.

UPDATE: I just noticed you put my name tag on Aepple reply. I never even mention money. Your commenting on the wrong persons topic spike5000.

[quote=spike5000;1289679]

Customer service employees make around 29.000 and sales people make 26.000 a year.

11-14.00 a hour

PayScale - Verizon Wireless Salary, Average Salaries



This doesn't just effect verizon, same applies to nextel, at&t, credit card companies and so on, any type company where low end paying job people have access to, or the ability to see tons of personal info. Think about it when you call a company and start giving your info over the phone to a employee, i could assure that the phone person taking that info is not making 20,30 dollars a hour, and if they were that does not mean your info is any more protected than a person making 10, 11, 13 dollars a hour.

The concept of my post was to show that personal info is available to and accessible by first echelon people. You ever go up to a cell phone companies counter in the mall or shopping center, and that counter person ask for your cell number when you inquire about a problem or your plan, today its a way a life, just beware!

Remember, private personal information that leaves your home in anyway shape or form... is never again really private.

USATODAY.com - Ex-Verizon Wireless employee charged with fraud

Spike5000 might work for Verizon or just be very loyal, so I fully understand his point. And I understand Aepple's point. I don't like the idea of my info being seen by anyone. I don't know if any of you have had bogus charges show up on your credit card, but your heart drops. Those charges from Spain showed up one day and even though I got the charges removed, I felt helpless because I had no idea where they came from. So ID theft always worries me.
I'm not as worried about an employee of Verizon stealing my info, I'm more worried about the things they are not telling me about. If a company is making money off of selling my info, then I want something in return. Why should they make all of the money and I get nothing; when it is MY info? But companies don't have to tell you what they sell. So I just worry what *228 gives Verizon. If they get a clone of my phone and can see lets say Wallpaper that has wolves on it. So they sell that to some company that knows I like wolves, so they start spamming me and calling me trying to sell me their junk. That is what worries me. Verizon knows pretty much all they need to know about me. So selling that info along with usage info to a company will make them lots of money at my expense.

So I just want to know.