Mentor
•
3 Messages
AT&T, privacy, and business ethics
I just got this email from AT&T about my CPNI usage. Apparently they want to use my private info for marketing purposes. Here's what's wrong with that.
I'm already a customer, leave me alone. Stop advertising new services and products to your own customers it's an annoying waste that clutters the website, my inbox, and wastes time when calling customer service.
Second, they were going to take my private info anyway if I did not respond the long, confusing e-mail with unfamiliar abbreviations like CPNI. They are profiting from every instance of non-response. Most people don't have the time or don't care enough to contact AT&T and request not to have their privacy invaded.
The language used is deceptive: "By checking this box I am requesting that AT&T restrict the use of my CPNI." that's the quote. See, it seems like they are restricting you, because of the purposefully confusing language. In reality, they are being restricted. I wonder what they have to gain that they would phrase it in a backwards way like this, surely AT&T has no concern for clarity when communicating with customers.
Bad show guys. Most people aren't going to notice, the rest probably won't care, but I hope there are a few people who demand more from a company they pay thousands of dollars to annually.
I'm already a customer, leave me alone. Stop advertising new services and products to your own customers it's an annoying waste that clutters the website, my inbox, and wastes time when calling customer service.
Second, they were going to take my private info anyway if I did not respond the long, confusing e-mail with unfamiliar abbreviations like CPNI. They are profiting from every instance of non-response. Most people don't have the time or don't care enough to contact AT&T and request not to have their privacy invaded.
The language used is deceptive: "By checking this box I am requesting that AT&T restrict the use of my CPNI." that's the quote. See, it seems like they are restricting you, because of the purposefully confusing language. In reality, they are being restricted. I wonder what they have to gain that they would phrase it in a backwards way like this, surely AT&T has no concern for clarity when communicating with customers.
Bad show guys. Most people aren't going to notice, the rest probably won't care, but I hope there are a few people who demand more from a company they pay thousands of dollars to annually.
madglee
Contributor
•
1 Message
12 years ago
0
jlfarzaroli
Contributor
•
1 Message
12 years ago
Same xact thing happened to me! Interesting coincidence.
0
juliehudson
Contributor
•
1 Message
12 years ago
0
sivadwnitsuj
Tutor
•
2 Messages
12 years ago
The exact same thing happened to me. The direct link provided in the email did not work. I just spent 15 minutes on the phone, most of it on hold, attempting to opt out of future attempts to monetize my private information. The representative knew nothing about the email.
I am not a commodity to be passed around within the ATT family of companies, for "marketing" purposes or otherwise.
0
AnnB1211
Former Employee
•
65 Messages
12 years ago
0
0
sivadwnitsuj
Tutor
•
2 Messages
12 years ago
This is simply not OK.
From the email:
"AT&T companies that provide telecommunications and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service (which permits VoIP customers to both send and receive calls to/from customers with traditional telephone/telecommunications service) would like to share your customer proprietary network information within the AT&T family of companies for our own marketing purposes, including using that information to offer you additional products and services."
My "customer proprietary netowork information" should not be traded or shared amongst any business entities, within or without the AT&T "family", for marketing purposes or to offer me additional products and services.
I pay AT&T enough money monthly that it's infuriating to have them inform me that without my intervention, I'll be subject to unsolicted sales & marketing attempts.
I want more signal and less noise from my communications provider. Whether or not all telecommunications companies do this is not the issue. The issue is that AT&T did and does. How is the fact that this is a problem an anathema to AT&T's customer service?
0
AnnB1211
Former Employee
•
65 Messages
12 years ago
They don't share your information. If you decide not to opt in but have not been able to opt out though the link/email, there is a privacy statement that has to be read before anything can be offered to you. The whole purpose is to present other ATT products to you, NOT share your information.
I give up. Call customer service and have them read word-for-word what it means and what to expect. Here a link to more comprehensive info on what CPNI means. CPNI
0
0
Turtle55
Tutor
•
1 Message
12 years ago
I agree that this has been a very frustrating endeavor, but as of today, the online form to opt out of sharing CPNI works (at least it did for me). Type in your customer ID (not your phone number), complete the rest of the form, and submit. Your account number can be found on your bill or on the top left side of your paperless statement. I hope this helps my fellow AT&T users.
0
tvstimmyg
Tutor
•
1 Message
12 years ago
I am have the same problem everyone else is! Shame on you AT&T!!! Threatening to share my information unless I opt-out of this program, and then making it impossible to opt-out!!! I have tried online. I have called both numbers listed in the email. You owe your customers better than this. I have given this company thousands of dollars over the years for service that is faulty at best ("But, sir, my map shows that your home has excellent coverage"). Fix this and fix it now!
0
dcsqueen
Teacher
•
4 Messages
12 years ago
So how the heck do we "opt out"?
0