Is Verizon Safe?
Privacy Audit 2026

Verizon is the largest wireless carrier in the United States by revenue, serving over 120 million subscribers. Verizon also operates one of the most sophisticated customer data monetization programs among US telecoms. This audit examines Verizon's tracking practices, the infamous supercookie controversy, and the full scope of data collected from every subscriber.

What Data Does Verizon Collect?

Our analysis of Verizon's privacy policy, terms of service, and technical behavior reveals the following categories of data collection. Each item represents data that Verizon either explicitly states it collects in its privacy policy or that independent researchers have documented through technical analysis.

• •Call records, text metadata, and voicemail content
• •Real-time location via cell tower triangulation
• •Browsing and app activity (Custom Experience)
• •Device identifiers and network diagnostics
• •Video streaming and content consumption data
• •Billing, credit history, and financial data
• •Advertising identifiers (UIDH supercookie legacy)
• •Verizon Media cross-platform behavioral data

Privacy Concerns

Verizon operates one of the most sophisticated customer data monetization programs among US telecoms. Verizon Media (formerly Oath, formerly Yahoo and AOL) combines telecom customer data with web browsing data and digital media consumption to build detailed advertising profiles. The company's Custom Experience and Custom Experience Plus programs track browsing and app usage to serve targeted advertising.

Verizon introduced a "supercookie" (UIDH) that injected a unique tracking header into all HTTP requests made through its mobile network. This tracking header could not be deleted by users and was used by third-party advertisers to track Verizon customers across websites. The FCC fined Verizon $1.35 million for this practice. While Verizon now offers opt-out, the incident revealed the company's willingness to deploy invasive tracking.

Verizon participates in data sharing with law enforcement through standard legal processes and has been documented in NSA surveillance programs. The company collects extensive location data from cell tower connections and has faced regulatory action for selling this location data to third-party aggregators and data brokers without meaningful customer consent.

Our Privacy Grade: D

Verizon receives a poor privacy grade. The product exhibits significant privacy problems including excessive data collection, documented data sharing with advertisers or surveillance programs, security breaches, or invasive tracking practices. We recommend evaluating alternatives.

Verizon's extensive data monetization through Custom Experience and legacy tracking practices make it a poor choice for privacy. Opt out of Custom Experience and Custom Experience Plus in your account settings. Use a VPN on Verizon's network. Consider privacy-focused MVNOs as alternatives.

Better Alternatives

If privacy is a priority, consider these alternatives to Verizon that offer stronger data protection:

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