Controversial Mobile Number Directory Launches.

#1 09-06-2009, 09:47 AM

42 million mobile phone numbers are available through a new controversial mobile phone number directory that you have to opt out of to prevent being listed.

The service works by typing in the name and (home) location of the person who you want to contact and then narrowing it down to the right person... if you are looking for 'John Smith' don't bother! The service then sends that person a text message with your contact information for a charge of £1 or attempts to connect you to them giving the user the option to refuse the call.

In theory not too bad an idea, but the means the website has gone to obtain these numbers and the fact that the service is opt out, not opt in has angered many.

Having tested it myself, I was quite surprised to find many of my friends appear to be listed which means at sometime they unwittingly filled in some form and did not tick a privacy box and with 42m numbers that is an alarming number of people who have done this!

The service is available online at 118800 .co.uk , to get your number removed you need to text from the phone 'affected', extraordinary that such a service has been allowed to make cancellation chargeable, even if it is only the cost of a text (although 'free' if included in a text bundle on your phone that is still one less text you can use constructively).

What are your thoughts on this service? Would you use it? How do you feel about having to opt out?

Darren Jones · #2 09-06-2009, 01:53 PM

Just had a look at the site. it is ridiculous that technically you pay to opt out

RawRob · #3 09-06-2009, 02:51 PM

It's probably also quite difficult to find people, especially if they have PAYG they won't tell the mobile company when they move. I tried to find myself and failed!

Rob

cheapestprinting · #4 09-06-2009, 04:43 PM

This is a very good idea and I am not surprised that people have not thought of it sooner.

What would be better though is that you get say 20p credited to your bill each tome someone tries to contact you? If they are charging a pound each time giving the end user 20p may also encourage more poeple to ensure their details are up to date.

From a business point of view this is amazing!

Matt

#5 09-06-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapestprinting

What would be better though is that you get say 20p credited to your bill each tome someone tries to contact you? If they are charging a pound each time giving the end user 20p may also encourage more poeple to ensure their details are up to date.

That is a great idea.

ponypay · #6 10-06-2009, 01:51 PM

Maybe I am missing something but I thought the point of having a phone was so that people can, well phone me, so I am quite happy for my mobile to be on this directory. In fact I am more happy for my mobile to be listed than my home phone, because my mobile has an "off" button, but my home phone doesn't. just my viewpoint :-)

Jullia · #7 10-06-2009, 02:18 PM

Personally I am not happy about this directory, I am very careful not to allow my contact details to be used without my authorisation or to be sold on to 3rd parties, granted no body is perfect and I could have missed one tick box.

What about privacy?? or providing the pubic with notice so we can opt out, for the majority of the public they will be non the wiser.

I personally have registered my mobile with the TPS so I won't be paying to opt out of this service.

When discussing this with a friend of mine who has a young child, how will this service be monitored and how easy could it be for paedophiles to obtain children’s contact numbers!

I have a long lost mother whom I wish to stay long lost! So I am glad I registered with tps some weeks back.

#8 10-06-2009, 08:44 PM

I am not defending the service in anyway, but to answer, Jullia the caller does not get given your number, the caller can either leave a text with their contact details or an operator asks the recipient if they want to accept the call, so your number does still stay anonymous although it could be frustrating to hear that someone you don't want to talk to is trying to contact you.

I am surprised the media has only picked up on this recently, it has been atleast two years in the making, I became aware of the initial plans through the comms trade many years back and yet it seems the whole opt in/ out situation has only just been presented to the appropriate regulators.

Controversial Mobile Number Directory Launches.

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