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I was under the impression that there was enough disfavor to prevent a cell phone directory from being created. When the idea was introduced, most carriers were against it. Verizon in particular went as far as to say that it was a “dumb idea.” Having your landline listed is one thing, but your cell phone? We carry these devices with us everywhere, and not just anyone should be able to look up that number and find us. You know, the whole privacy thing. But there’s this company, Intelius, which specializes in finding information on anyone and everyone. Type in a name, pay a fee, and get all the information they can find on someone. Well, now that includes your cell phone number.
Intelus went around the web, scraping info anywhere they could, mining data, and paying list-owners for access to this information. Not only are they allowing people to find this information about you, they’re making a profit from it. So in turn they’re making a profit from you, without your consent.
I couldn’t put it any better than Verizon:
“Stop it. This is a violation of Americans’ privacy. People expect their cell phone numbers to remain private,” said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. He added that Verizon Wireless intends to take whatever steps might be necessary, including litigation, to protect its customers’ numbers and privacy.
What is the legal standing on this issue, though? It doesn’t appear the information was acquired by illegal means. But is it illegal to publish that information without someone’s consent?
“Trolling the Internet, using data mining techniques and simply buying lists to create a directory are actions that clearly violate a consumer’s right to privacy,” Zipperstein continued. “Verizon Wireless has long refused to release our customers’ numbers and we call on legislators and policy makers to ensure that what a consumer wants to be private stays that way.”
For now, the best solution is to contact Intelius and tell them to take you off their list. You’ll need to fax them a written request and proof of ID — a driver’s license will do. The number is 425-974-6194.
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With the publication of cell phone numbers, I suspect SMS spam will become even a bigger problem then it already is.
This is a terrible idea. Thanks for the heads up…and thanks for the number necessary to combat this.
Great post!