Don't Want a Phonebook? Give Up Your Privacy

newscloud writes "Seattle will soon shut down its popular phonebook opt-out website as a result of a costly settlement with Yellow Pages publishers. Going forward, the only way to stop unwanted phonebook deliveries will be to visit the industry's opt out site and provide them with your personal information. They will share it with their clients, most of whom are direct marketing agencies, who in turn commit not to use it improperly. The Federal Court of Appeals ruled in October that The Yellow Pages represent protected free speech of corporations (including Canada's Yellow Media Inc.); defending and settling the lawsuit cost Seattle taxpayers $781,503. The city said the program's popularity led to a reduction of 2 million pounds of paper waste annually."

Comments

Why do you need a phone?

[fyngyrz]

Do what I did: Get rid of your phone.

The Network is ubiquitous. You only think you need a phone -- you've been marketed. What you actually need is wifi, and it's pretty much everywhere, with very few exceptions. I live in a rural area and there are wifi connections everywhere, a good many of them open, and others available for the asking.

That still leaves you with text messaging, IM, email, VOIP, etc. With a modern tablet or phone, you can even do video.

That's all quite aside from the financial and sanity benefits.