Focusing On the Challenges

Issues sometimes arise that challenge our approach to our business. We respond by extending our core principles that focus on customer choice, privacy and safety.

Verizon was the first wireless carrier to support laws requiring hands-free devices for people who use cell phones while driving.

In 2008, we encountered issues that challenged our approach to our business and tested our policies. Our response, such as our new network content policy and human rights statement, extend core principles that focus on customer choice, privacy and safety. Other measures, such as providing free parental control tools for many of our services, are meant to empower our customers

Keeping Our Wireless Customers Safe

Today’s wireless devices are not so much phones as they are omnibus connections—a primary link to communications, computing and entertainment.

Safe Driving

The National Safety Council launched a campaign in early 2009 urging motorists to stop using cell phones and messaging devices while driving. The group is also encouraging states to enact laws that would ban the behavior entirely, citing research that suggests using a cell phone while driving significantly increases the risk of being involved in a crash.

Verizon was the first wireless carrier to break with other firms in the industry to support laws requiring hands-free devices for people who use cell phones while driving.

We advise our customers: “Safe driving is your responsibility, and it should always be your first priority. For your well-being and the well-being of those around you, you should consider turning your phone off and allowing calls to go to voice mail while you are driving.”

For more information, go to aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/driving.html.

Cell Phones and RF Energy

Wireless phones emit radio frequency (RF) energy during use. The health effects of RF energy have been the subject of research around the world for many years.

Verizon continues to examine new research as it is issued and regularly provides updated information at aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/radioEmissions.html

Additional information on avoiding potential hearing loss and using cell phones around implantable medical devices is available at aboutus.vzw.com/wirelessissues/companyProfile.html

Helping People Access and Monitor Content

Verizon provides customers with parental controls (for internet, cell phones and FiOS TV) that allow parents to control what content is available to members of their family.

Helping people access the content they want, avoid the content they don’t want, and stay safe online are among the biggest challenges confronting leaders of the digital revolution.

Verizon took major steps to address these issues in 2008, marshaling the resources of our business groups to issue new content policy guidelines and to forge a new Internet safety presence.

New Content Policy Guidelines

In mid-2008, we issued a new Content Policy for Verizon Networks covering our TV, wireless and Internet services, as well as user-generated content and advertising.

The revised policies are grounded in principles that focus on customer choice, privacy and safety:

Verizon is committed to helping our customers make informed decisions about the content they want to access over Verizon’s network and will provide content management tools, as well as access to educational materials and other resources to assist parents and other users in identifying content they deem appropriate.

Internet Safety

As a network provider Verizon provides access to the Internet and, through it, to services and content that the company does not own or control. In view of that, Verizon believes that the first priority for providers is the personal safety of consumers.

In 2008, we began offering a free Parental Controls service via Verizon Online. The service enables customers to identify Web sites they believe are inappropriate and to schedule when Internet access is available. All elements of the program, which also includes free tools to help parents protect their children while on a cell phone or watching TV, are accessible from a new, single Verizon Web site.

Online Advertising

“All online players should protect the privacy of online users and embrace policies that put consumers in control of their online experience.”

As broadband applications grow in sophistication and people live more of their lives online, consumers are paying close attention to making sure their privacy is protected when they go on the Internet.

That attention intensified in 2008 with debates in Washington, D.C., about a practice common to the Web world but largely invisible to consumers: the routine collection of consumers’ Web-surfing data by companies that use it to deliver advertising to desktops.

To address the concerns about “behavorial advertising” — the use of consumer Web-surfing data to target advertisements — Tom Tauke, Verizon executive vice president for Public Affairs, Policy and Communications, called upon all online companies to embrace several broad principles related to the tracking of customer behavior online:

• Transparency: Provide conspicuous, clearly explained disclosure to consumers;
• Meaningful consent: Empower consumers to easily make an affirmative choice before a company captures Internet usage data for advertising purposes; and
• Consumer control: Create simple and easy methods for consumers to change their preferences.