Privacy advocates are raising alarms about a recent comment made by a cell phone company executive regarding the collection of customer data.

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An executive with Verizon recently told a conference group that the company is collecting data on what customers are searching for, even saying quote 'data is the new oil.'  Dave Arland with Arland Communications in Indianapolis says that comment did not sit well with privacy advocates who may see this as a violation of the Wiretap Act which prevents phone companies from specifically going after people.

Arland says it's not just Verizon.  He says all cell phone companies aggregate information on their customers' browsing habits such as what they're searching for and where they are when they're searching, and selling that information to other people.  While the companies aren't giving out customers' names and personal information, Arland says this action could make customers uneasy if they don't want the cell phone companies doing this.

Arland says customers can opt out of this action at any time, but it can be a complicated process.  Customers can visit the privacy sections of their company's web site and find opt out information there.