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FCC Allows Bells to Sell Your Telephone Usage Data
Devistater writes "Spotted on hardocp. The FCC said in a ruling yesterday that telephone companies can sell your name, who you call, and for how long you talk to anyone who is an "affiliate." No longer is this required to be an opt in marketing approach, now its OPT OUT. Sounds like spam is coming to the telephone world, and what an egregious breach of privacy. Article on PCWorld has some of the details." There's also a short Reuters story and a good one on ecommercetimes.com.
Hello Mr Smith, I'm calling today to tell you that we noticed that you are making quite a few calls to 555-555-5555. We further wish to tell you that we believe that these calls are related to you having an extramarital affair.
We are bringing you this service to offer you a chance to keep us quiet with a one time payment of $500. Not only will you get piece of mind ( for now ) that we won't tell your wife but you'll also get a handy cookbook from Martha Stewart.
If you don't wish to have your marriage ruined please stay on the line while I transfer this call to an independent verifier
Have a good day!
It is time to upgrade our technology again.
I've heard good things about the "Two cans and a piece of String" company based in Florida. Perhaps the solution is right there?
With my dying breath, I curse Zoidberg!
Powell Michael K CM-CH (202) 418-1000
Tissue paper companies.
South Carolina has phones?
An Education is the Font of All Liberty
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est
But sometimes it's better to have a little fun with them if you've got time to waste. If someone calls and asks to speak to the head of the household, there are a number of ways to dispose of the obvious telemarketer. My favorite: wait for them to stop speaking, then say the following in a clear, confident voice:
"Anteeksi, mutta emme puhu englantia ta:ma:ssa talossa."
That's Finnish, or my best approximation of it, for "I'm sorry, but we don't speak English in this house" - I think it's correct if you replace "a:" with an "a" with a dieresis over it, pronounce those vowels like the "a" in "hat", and pronounce the other letters as you would in, say, Spanish. And even if it's slightly wrong, how many USian telemarketers are going to speak _that_ language, anyway (especially compared to Spanish, for example)? Wait for an awkward silence, let them hang up when they realize they probably won't be getting anything out of you, and then see if they call back.
From pc world "Uncapher calls the decision a positive step. He likens it to customers being willing for Amazon.com to know which books they have purchased, and recommending others." So does this mean I'll be getting calls like "Hello. Based on your previous phone calls, you might enjoy calling the following people..."?
we can rebuild this sig. we have the technology
You mean like:
- You may have already won $10,000 !!!
- You have been Pre-Approved for a credit card
- You have won a small island in the South Pacific, call 900-SUCKERZ to claim your prize. Hurry!
- Here is a book of coupons for shit you will never buy.
- Please donate to some organization you have never heard of before.
- Get 500 CDs for the price of 1 (plus shipping, handling, and handing over your soul)
- Dear (last person who lived at this address) you have been Pre-approved for a credit card!
- Are the bills getting you down? Debt consolidation can help.
- A special offer just for you Homer J Simpsoy.
- Limited Time Offer!
- We can beat your insurance rates, and save you money $$$$.
- Dated material, open immediately!
- Postal Carrier, do not forward. This is a fantastic prize intended only for the recipient shown below.
- Here is a check for $5000. By endorsing it you agree to open an account with us for that amount, with 27% interest. (this is a real one I got)
- Dell Catalogs
- Victoria's Secret catalogs (OK, I don't mind those)
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
It's cool. All my phone record is going to show is that I call Earthlink every day and "talk" to them for about twelve hours. Best way yet to keep the telemarketers away. Now if I could just get VoIP to be not crappy on dialup, I'll be all set.