European Telecoms Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom Plan Persistent User Tracking System

Major European telecommunications companies including Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom have proposed introducing persistent user tracking through their network infrastructure. This initiative would enable advertisers to track users across websites and apps using telecom-level identifiers.

How It Works

The proposed system would assign persistent identifiers to mobile users at the network level, allowing advertisers to track browsing behavior without relying on cookies. Unlike cookies, which users can delete, network-level identifiers are controlled by the telecom provider and cannot be easily disabled by the user.

Privacy Concerns

Network-level tracking is significantly more invasive than cookie-based tracking. Users have limited ability to opt out, the identifiers persist across all websites and apps, and the tracking occurs at a layer of infrastructure that users cannot control through browser settings or ad blockers.

Regulatory Questions

The legality of such a system under the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive is highly questionable. Persistent tracking without genuine consent would likely violate both regulations. The proposal has drawn criticism from privacy advocates who see it as an attempt by telecoms to build an advertising business at the expense of subscriber privacy.

The Irony

European telecoms proposing persistent tracking contradicts Europe's position as a global leader in privacy protection. The initiative would undermine years of regulatory progress in giving users control over their personal data.