Do Phone Carriers track which websites you use in usage reports?

[Pedeadstrian]

I have a crappy "smart"phone, but it's not actually a smartphone, and I have no data plan. I just got a bill saying I used 16 MB, and they're charging me $35, but I can't imagine when I ever did that. Do they track what websites you go to so I can find out what really happened?

 

[Foxi4]

It's entirely possible that you've "wasted" some Data throughout the month without visiting any websites at all. How? Just with the 3G handshakes which are performed whenever your handset is switching to the BTS nearest to you. How to prevent it? Disable Internet connections on your phone altogether. 16MB does sound like a lot though.

The carrier "technically" knows which sites you access as the information passes through their servers, practically though they are unable to check that for you as for the sake of customer's privacy such data is encrypted.

They can however tell you the exact time your phone was used to access online content and how much data was used during that dial and you can request a bill with this information printed out.

 

[Duo8]

$35 for 16MB is too much.
Also, check your apps. They might be using 3G to update info.

 

[Pedeadstrian]

$35 for 16MB is too much.
Also, check your apps. They might be using 3G to update info.

I don't have "apps." My phone is basically one of those crappy old-timer phones, except it can access the internet (if I choose to).

 

[dajavax]

It's possible you used them in some kind of MMS or something.

 

[Duo8]

I don't have "apps." My phone is basically one of those crappy old-timer phones, except it can access the internet (if I choose to).

Do you use Email?
And just browsing a few pages could easily get you to 16MB if you're not using something like Opera Mini.
Also, check your browser history.

 

[Pedeadstrian]

Do you use Email?
And just browsing a few pages could easily get you to 16MB if you're not using something like Opera Mini.
Also, check your browser history.

Nope. No email, no history. My phone sucks, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up butt-logging on or something.

 

[Duo8]

Nope. No email, no history. My phone sucks, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up butt-logging on or something.

Hmm... Maybe someone else used it? (Kinda unlikely though)
Also, what phone is it?

 

[Pedeadstrian]

Hmm... Maybe someone else used it? (Kinda unlikely though)
Also, what phone is it?

It's a Kin Two. Something I imagine most people have never even heard of. Sometimes I even forget what it's called.

 

[Duo8]

It's a Kin Two. Something I imagine most people have never even heard of. Sometimes I even forget what it's called.

That failed MS phone? Why would you even want that? I'd get a Nokia "smart"phone.
Also, here:
Commentators noted Loop's 15-minute delay for updates, which CNET's Ina Fried described as "odd".[31]PC World argued this delay was at odds with Microsoft's claim that the phone is "always-connected".[32] Users could not adjust this interval,[33] although updates could be manually triggered with an on-screen refresh button, or locking then unlocking the phone.[citation needed] Microsoft cited battery life and immature social networking APIs as reasons for the delay; Engadget speculated that Microsoft may have been using the delayed messaging to encourage Verizon to offer lower-priced data plans, which would be attractive to the platform's teenage target audience.[34]

 

[Pedeadstrian]

That failed MS phone? Why would you even want that? I'd get a Nokia "smart"phone.
Also, here:
Commentators noted Loop's 15-minute delay for updates, which CNET's Ina Fried described as "odd".[31]PC World argued this delay was at odds with Microsoft's claim that the phone is "always-connected".[32] Users could not adjust this interval,[33] although updates could be manually triggered with an on-screen refresh button, or locking then unlocking the phone.[citation needed] Microsoft cited battery life and immature social networking APIs as reasons for the delay; Engadget speculated that Microsoft may have been using the delayed messaging to encourage Verizon to offer lower-priced data plans, which would be attractive to the platform's teenage target audience.[34]

Meh, I was young at the time (okay, not really). I listened to a salesman. Never again.

Also, that wiki snippet is about an earlier model, not the one I have. Mine is completely devoid of apps or social media (outside of texting). I can't even browse the store for cheap/free apps or games like I could with my previous two crappy, data plan-less phones.

 

[Costello]

why dont you call them to find out ? (unless it costs you money to call them...)

 

[Pedeadstrian]

why dont you call them to find out ? (unless it costs you money to call them...)

Yeah, that's what I'm going to do. But knowing Verizon, there'd probably be nothing I could do about it, even if it was their fault.

 

[Ericthegreat]

Verizon has helped me a bit (kinda) with issues with my bill before, they might help, and if you get a asshole/engrish, hang up and call back.