Received this e-mail today from Senator Al Franken (D. MN):
If you have a mobile phone, this is a big deal.
Right now, even when your contract with your mobile provider expires, you can't legally "unlock" that phone -- which would allow you to switch carriers. That’s right. It’s against the law.
But wait a minute. That's your phone. You bought it, fair and square. Why should your cell phone company be able to tell you what you can do with it even after your contract is up? And why should the law be on their side?
This is unfair. And if you agree, let's fight back. Click here to sign my petition calling for consumers to be able to unlock their mobile phones:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
This is about fairness. Yes, when you sign a contract with a cell provider, both sides have to live up to its terms. But when that contract expires, you should be free to do what you want with your phone -- including switching to a different carrier.
It's a simple consumer right. And while the big telecom companies don't like it, Americans are making their voices heard on this issue. Even the White House has weighed in to signal support for the freedom to unlock phones -- and I intend to fight hard to make sure you have that right going forward.
Will you join me? Click here to sign the petition:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Standing up for consumers is an important part of what I do. And nearly all of us are consumers of mobile services. We should stand together on this.
Thanks,
Al
P.S.: If you own a mobile phone, you should get involved in this. And if you’re reading this on a mobile phone, you really have no excuse! Click here to sign the petition and let's win the freedom to unlock our phones:
http://www.alfranken.com/...
Franken recently reintroduced his bill, the Location Privacy Protection Act:
http://www.research-live.com/...
Franken wants to legislate to make location data collection opt-in only. He recently pulled up retail analytics firm Euclid for the opt-out nature of its system.
Euclid works with clothing stores, quick-service restaurants, shopping malls and department stores to measure shopper activity in-store, either by tracking the wi-fi signals given off by mobile phones or by using specially-fitted sensors. It recently landed $17m in financing.
The firm’s privacy policy explains that it “collects only basic device information that is broadcast by wi-fi enabled phones. This does not include any sensitive data such as who you are, whom you call, or the websites you visit”.
But in a letter sent to Euclid on 13 March, Franken said: “It’s one thing to track someone’s shopping habits through a loyalty card or credit card purchase; folks understand that their information may be collected. It’s another thing entirely to track consumers’ movements without their permission as they shop, especially when someone doesn’t buy anything or even enter a store. People have a fundamental right to privacy, and I think neglecting to ask consumers for their permission to track them violates that right.” - Research, 4/4/13
You can sign Franken's petition here:
http://www.alfranken.com/...