February 7, 2002
Ms. Gail Torreano, President
Ameritech - Michigan
444 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226Dear Ms. Torreano:
We write to you regarding Ameritechs plans to use customers calling records for marketing purposes. Ameritech has failed to provide its customers with adequate notice or to obtain customers actual permission before using their Customer Proprietary Network Information. Instead, Ameritech has sent customers a vague notice and established an unreasonably burdensome opt-out process. We ask you to cease Ameritechs plan to use the records of telephone calls for marketing purposes. Ameritechs plan is unfair and needlessly jeopardizes the privacy of telephone subscribers.
Ameritechs website expresses the companys commitment to protecting customer privacy. We applaud this goal. However, as customers are beginning to understand the consequences of the opt-out policy and have experienced numerous difficulties attempting to opt-out, many have begun to publicly question Ameritechs practices and policies.
Last year, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), joined by 18 consumer organizations, urged the Federal Communications Commission to reestablish the opt-in standard to safeguard telephone privacy. Recently, we were joined by the Attorneys General in more than 39 states who have also called on the FCC to support the opt-in standard.
After EPIC, state Attorneys General, and numerous consumers opposed Qwests plan to use calling data for marketing purposes, the company suspended the program. Qwest's CEO, Joseph Nacchio, explained Qwest's decision as follows: When many of our customers tell us that they're concerned or don't understand what we're doing, it's time to stop the process and make a change.
Given the widespread problems encountered by consumers attempting to opt-out of the Ameritech program, and in light of your companys dedication to protecting customer privacy, we urge you to follow Qwests example by suspending this plan and to join us in asking the FCC to establish opt-in as a nationwide standard for telephone privacy.
Sincerely,
Marc Rotenberg Mikal J. Condon Executive Director Staff Counsel cc:
Chairman Michael K. Powell
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554Commissioner Michael J. Copps
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554Commissioner Kevin J. Martin
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554Dorothy Attwood
Chief of Common Carrier Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554Marcy Greene
Attorney Advisor
Common Carrier Division
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554