I've got your number on the bathroom wall
Jun. 11th, 2009 09:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ventaI'm surprised there hasn't been more fuss over this. Maybe I've just missed it.
There are (though not nearly as many as I'd expect) reports online that a company is setting up a Directory Enquiries equivalent for mobile numbers. So (in theory) you call them, and for £1 they'll connect you to (rather than give you the number for)[**] anyone you ask them for.
The provenance of the numbers they're using is a little dicey - "generally [they are] from companies who collect mobile telephone numbers from customers in the course of doing business and have been given permission by the customers to share those numbers". In theory, if you always check[*] that box this won't affect you at all.
It's possible to make yourself ex-directory by texting 'E' to 118800, though early and "unscientific" testing from The Register suggests that the directory is far from exhaustive.
You can read about the directory from the horse's mouth here.
Update: You can check here if you're in the directory. A prize to the first person who can actually find themselves (or indeed anyone they know) in it...
[*] or do I mean uncheck ? I can't remember offhand whether it's opt-in or opt-out.
[**] That's what reports say. The horse's mouth says that they'll sms the person you're trying to contact with your details.
There are (though not nearly as many as I'd expect) reports online that a company is setting up a Directory Enquiries equivalent for mobile numbers. So (in theory) you call them, and for £1 they'll connect you to (rather than give you the number for)[**] anyone you ask them for.
The provenance of the numbers they're using is a little dicey - "generally [they are] from companies who collect mobile telephone numbers from customers in the course of doing business and have been given permission by the customers to share those numbers". In theory, if you always check[*] that box this won't affect you at all.
It's possible to make yourself ex-directory by texting 'E' to 118800, though early and "unscientific" testing from The Register suggests that the directory is far from exhaustive.
You can read about the directory from the horse's mouth here.
Update: You can check here if you're in the directory. A prize to the first person who can actually find themselves (or indeed anyone they know) in it...
[*] or do I mean uncheck ? I can't remember offhand whether it's opt-in or opt-out.
[**] That's what reports say. The horse's mouth says that they'll sms the person you're trying to contact with your details.
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 09:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 09:43 am (UTC):)
I'm sure you're right, though.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 09:45 am (UTC)no subject
Maybe their best option is to insert "[PEBCAK?]" below the other suggestions. The non-geeks will just ignore it!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 11:24 am (UTC)"The phrase is used by computer experts as a humorous[2] way to describe user errors."
I love the fact they've included a citation to demonstrate that it is, indeed, humorous :)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-11 11:27 am (UTC)