My Verizon Mobile app wanted me to update yesterday. I started to update until I checked to see what was changing. The NEW update in green says: NEW: Take Pictures and Videos.
Allows the app to take pictures
and videos with the camera. This
permission allows the app to use
the camera at any time without
your confirmation.
Why would anyone allow their phone to take a picture with out their knowledge or confirmation???
I look forward to an explanation from Verizon.
Thank you.
I don't use this app a lot, but I just checked in the Play Store, and there is an update waiting there. In the reviews, a user named James Robinson suggests that the Bluetooth, WiFi, and camera permissions are for the sake of new in-store experience features. The app wants to detect when you're in a store, inform you of offers, let you scan items (hence the camera), etc.
Nice. 
You didn't really think "My" Verizon meant your Verizon, did you?
Robinson and other reviewers also question why this app now wants root access.
I do note that the update description includes "Enhanced logging for device troubleshooting." Perhaps that explains both the root access and the camera. They might need to check whether the camera is malfunctioning. Maybe.