A-G says Qwest agrees to more staff to allow customers to "opt out"

Qwest has trained more staff and set up a form on its website so customers can opt out of having their calling patterns shared with other Qwest-owned enterprises. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller met with Qwest on Monday to express concerns that Iowans who wanted to keep their calling data private weren’t able to get through to Qwest. Miller says Qwest has said they’re not seeking the information to sell or share with third parties.Miller would prefer that customers’d call Qwest if they want their other services, rather than forcing consumers who don’t want to be solicited by other Qwest’s companies to contact the company and make their wishes known.Qwest notified consumers in their latest bill that the company would be sharing customers’ calling information with other Qwest companies, including Qwest wireless, Qwest DEX phone book, and Qwest’s long distance company. Miller says this should be a wake up call for consumers. He says he gets notices frequently from companies and says if people don’t respond, the information can be used. He says if you have concerns, opt out.Miller says Qwest’s top Iowa executives met with him and assured him Qwest customers’ calling information will not be sold to third parties.