Mobile Phone Users Say Proposed Wireless 411 Directory Violates Privacy

Cell phone companies want to take your number and make it public-- for everybody to see, including telemarketers.

July 5, 2004

Verizon Wireless is the only company that has said it will not make its customers' numbers public.  But other major carriers are in favor of a 411 wireless directory-- and most customers we talked to don't like that tone.

When you get a call on your cell phone-- odds are you gave the person calling your number.  Unlike your home phone you don't have to worry about annoying telemarketers or bill collectors.
 
J.R. Christy says, "I donít need telemarketers calling cell because itís dedicated to family/business and itíll be better if it not be published."
 
Privacy is the reason why many people buy cell phones.  But some major cellular companies want to take your private number and make it accessible to just about anybody who wants it.  It's like 4-1-1, but for cell phone numbers.
 
Cynthia Hailstock says, "Iíll be getting calls nowhere out of the blue and they will be charging me and if I donít want to be bothered why should I be forced to pay."
 
Now federal lawmakers want to make sure everybody who has a cell phone has full control over their number.  Legislation now sits in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.  Under the proposals wireless carriers would have to obtain clear permission from all existing customers before including the user's name and phone number in the directory.  New users would be able to "opt out".  But opting out could come with a monthly charge-- much like your land line.
 
 "To not have your number listed and pay for it I think is incredulous, Iíd be totally against it,î says Mike Sellers.
 
The legislation would also restrict companies from charging customers for opting out.  Mobile companies say the legislation isn't needed and the options under the proposed law will already be available to customers.  But some say the legislation is needed to guarantee privacy.

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