Privacy infringement has become the new trend in the mobile and internet era and it seems Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) too could not keep itself away from adopting such methods. The carrier has been quietly tracking its users’ activity through perma-cookies for over two years now. The company has defended that the cookies are solely for its personal use and not for monetization purposes.

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Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) insert unique identifiers called UIHD into its web traffic so as to authenticate subscribers. Though the company maintains that such process will not help advertisers make customer profile, but in reality, it is possible. In fact, the recent reports have validated the doubts that Verizon’s cookies are a source of customer profiling to advertisers.

For instance, Turn.com, an online ad clearinghouse has disclosed the way how Verizon’s cookies could help make customer’s profiles. Turn.com Senior vice-president, Joshua Koran added that the problem does not end by merely deleting the cookies from the device. Nor Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)’s opt-out option will fix the infringement issue. Turn.com is the same clearinghouse which is used by the likes of Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG).

Ways To Protect From Infringement

Bidness ETC has figured out certain ways to help consumers prevent their data infringement. Some ways include using virtual private network or installing of apps and browsers to render perma cookies useless. Not only Verizon, but AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) had also accepted to using such types of perma cookies in the past. However, AT&T had just begun testing the tracking activity, when it was forced to close the same on account of public condemnations. It is likely that now Verizon too will follow AT&T’s steps, but it is not probable that mobile carrier will completely exit from such tracking activities any time soon.