The FCC fined Verizon $46.9 million in 2024 for illegally selling customers' real-time location data to 67 third-party entities without their consent. Verizon settled a $100 million class action in 2024 for advertising lower monthly rates than it actually charged by excluding a mandatory administrative fee from advertised prices, then raised that same fee again after the settlement. Security researchers found that surveillance backdoors Verizon maintains for government wiretapping were exploited by Chinese hackers in the Salt Typhoon breach.

Why should I avoid Verizon?

Verizon has a documented pattern of hidden fees and selling customer location data without consent. After settling the hidden fee lawsuit, the company immediately raised the same fee again, buried in fine print with no direct notice to customers. The surveillance infrastructure Verizon built for law enforcement was compromised by foreign hackers, putting customer communications at risk.

What are the best ethical alternatives to Verizon?

US Mobile offers highly affordable flexible plans on multiple networks with no contracts and build-your-own plan options. No-contract MVNOs consistently earn higher customer satisfaction scores than the major carriers and typically save customers $30 to $70 per month.

Verizon

Flagged · Avoid

The largest U.S. wireless carrier, known for aggressively monetizing customers through hidden fees, surveillance cooperation, and throttled service.

Last updated June 14, 2026

Reasons to avoid

Issues span:PrivacyConsumerOther

The FCC fined Verizon $46.9 million in 2024 for illegally selling access to customers' real-time location data to 67 third-party entities without obtaining customer consent.fcc.gov2024-04-29
Verizon paid $100 million in 2024 to settle a class action alleging it advertised lower monthly rates than it actually charged by excluding a monthly "Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge" from advertised prices. Verizon admitted no wrongdoing and said it would continue charging the fee and reserved the right to raise it.cbsnews.com2024-03-28
After settling that lawsuit, Verizon raised the same hidden administrative fee again in late 2024 — an 80% increase over two years — buried in billing fine print and not announced directly to customers.androidpolice.com2024-12-04
The Salt Typhoon hackers gained access by exploiting the surveillance backdoors Verizon maintains to comply with government wiretapping law (CALEA). The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned this would happen: backdoors built for law enforcement can always be turned against users.eff.org2024-10-14

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Common Questions

Is Verizon ethical?: The FCC fined Verizon $46.9 million in 2024 for illegally selling customers' real-time location data to 67 third-party entities without their consent. Verizon settled a $100 million class action in 2024 for advertising lower monthly rates than it actually charged by excluding a mandatory administrative fee from advertised prices, then raised that same fee again after the settlement. Security researchers found that surveillance backdoors Verizon maintains for government wiretapping were exploited by Chinese hackers in the Salt Typhoon breach.
Why should I avoid Verizon?: Verizon has a documented pattern of hidden fees and selling customer location data without consent. After settling the hidden fee lawsuit, the company immediately raised the same fee again, buried in fine print with no direct notice to customers. The surveillance infrastructure Verizon built for law enforcement was compromised by foreign hackers, putting customer communications at risk.
What are the best ethical alternatives to Verizon?: US Mobile offers highly affordable flexible plans on multiple networks with no contracts and build-your-own plan options. No-contract MVNOs consistently earn higher customer satisfaction scores than the major carriers and typically save customers $30 to $70 per month.