Scary privacy concern with Google
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion Archive: Archive February 2005:
Scary privacy concern with Google
I got this in an email. Although my number didn't come up (it is fairly a new number) my mom's did. I removed her from the list. I think this is scary! Please make sure your number isn't listed!
Google has implemented a feature wherein you can type someone's
telephone
number into the search bar and hit enter and then you will be given a
map to
their house. Everyone should be aware of this!
Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked.
Before forwarding this, I tested it by typing my telephone number in
google.com. My phone number came up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest
link, it actually mapped out where I live. Quite scary.
Look up your own number. Read below for details.
Think about it--if a child, or ANYONE gives out his/her phone number,
someone can actually now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The
safety issues are obvious, and alarming. In order to test whether your
phone
number is mapped, go to google and check. Type your phone number
in
the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK
Google from divulging your private information, you must fill out this
form.
or.....go to:
http://www.google.com/help/pbremoval.html
I removed my name, but it takes 48-hours before the changes take effect.
If you are unlisted in the phone book, you might not be at risk, but it
is a
good idea just to check. If your number does come up, and if you click
on
the map links, it will show you a direct map to your house...Be safe,
not
sorry.
Yes, but....from http://www.snopes.com/computer/internet/google.htm
As to the issue of whether this Google feature is a shocking "invasion of privacy," there are a few points to keep in mind:
This feature is not "new" — the PhoneBook service has been offered by Google for at least a year now.
This feature does not work for every phone number. Some classes of phone numbers, such as unpublished phone numbers (i.e., numbers belonging to customers who have requested that their local phone service providers not publish their numbers in printed phone directories or make them available through directory assistance), will not display.
The information displayed is compiled from a number of publicly accessible sources and is not unique to Google. There are many other web sources through which users can look up the same information.
Google has simply combined two different services readily available on a number of different web sites — reverse phone directory look-ups and mapping/driving directions services — into one step. Even without Google, it's a simple feat for any moderately knowledgeable web user to plug a phone number into a reverse phone directory web site to find the name and address corresponding to that number, then use an on-line service such as Mapquest to obtain directions to that address.
In short, the Google PhoneBook feature may be troubling to those who value their privacy, but it's a symptom and not a cause. The larger issue is that many entities we deal with in daily life who are privy to our personal information can make that information available to sources that compile databases which services such as Google PhoneBook use. The public has been making privacy gains through the implementation of laws such as those requiring credit bureaus, phone companies, and motor vehicle bureaus to offer "opt-out" features which provide customers with means to restrict the distribution of their personal information, but until that larger issue is completely eliminated, trying to keep one's personal information off the web is akin to engaging in a perpetual game of "Wack-a-Mole": momentarily satisfying but ultimately accomplishing nothing.
I tried this and nothing came up
but we have only lived here since July.
That is scary!
It's really not so bad. Infobel has a reverse directory by phone number or address. Just think of this. I can plug in an address and find out the name and phone number of the person who lives there ...
In this day and age, info like this rarely stays private for long.
I agree that even without this feature, people can find your address with your phone number. You can even call 411 and get an address from a phone number.
It just seems like Google has made it even easier. And I just wanted people to be aware that this was possible so you can remove your number if you want.
How is the google phonebook any different from a regular phonebook? I'm just not that worried about it.
I'm not either. You've been able to simply put in a name in nearly any online white pages and address, phone, possible email, and map pulls up or is accessible. It's a negative side of the internet. Anybody that wants to know pretty much anything about you can find it out anyway...there's no getting around it unfortunately. I typed in my number and address and map appeared btw.
I just did a qoogle search with my phone number and it came up to dh name and our address. Thats kinda scary.
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