Adotas » qtags Sets Advertiser Lineup for Times Square Program

Adotas » qtags Sets Advertiser Lineup for Times Square Program

There is a clear effort here even in their PR to identify as SPAM free. The way the article reads it would appear that messages are only sent to the consumer as a response to a text originated by the consumer.

Now - before you read the rest of this - Generally I like the idea of Qtags. I just wish they'd clean up their privacy policy a bit.

From the Qtags homepage:

SPAM FREE!We do not share your mobile # or email with anyone, ever. You will not be added to any advertiser's list, and only you decide if you interact with the advertiser.

So in reading the privacy policy here's what I found:

Standard disclaimer that they can change their privacy policy at any time and that it is YOUR responsibility to check for changes to the policy and that by continuing to use the service you automatically agree to the terms.

What could they do?:

Upon any material changes to the policy all subscribers, web site users and others who had agreed to previous terms and conditions should be duly notififed and given a chance to review and decide for themselves if the changes to the policy constitute a change in their willingness to use the service.

The way this reads today Qtags could sign up 100,000 users under the belief that Qtags would never share their information. At some point in the future Qtags could change the Privacy Policy and be selling everyone’s information and be completely legit as it is worded that the responsibility to know about changes and agree to them being on the part of the subscriber.

A more responsible service provider might send out an advisory to make clear any material change to the policy to any/all affected users, members, subscribers or others who had agreed to a previous version of the policy. Yes – the requirement to advise is onerous in nature, but placing the responsibility in the hands of the consumer (who largely doesn’t read the policy to start with) is not acting in line with a “white hat” philosophy.

How to opt-out?

The policy indicates the only way to opt out is via e-mail or via postal mail. There should be a clear and obvious way to opt-out via the mobile. After all - this is a mobile service.

Hey - wait a minute - did I opt in?

Yes buddy - you sure did. Their "Topline of Privacy Policy" talks about the fact you won't hear anything from any 3rd parties. But trust me, you'll hear from Qtags.

Oh yes - and they ask that you write to them with suggestions. However, interestingly, they claim full rights to any suggestions made. As such I'm only making the suggestions available via the blog... © Mobile Soul Ltd. just in case you wondered.