Government Technology

Data Mining of Wireless Phone Numbers?


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January 31, 2008 By

According to its Web site, Seattle-based Intelius says that it will charge consumers a fee to find a number that is "unlisted or unpublished" and will identify a consumer's wireless service provider. This information is mined from the Internet, personal Web pages and other sources, and has not been authorized by individuals to be sold for this purpose. "This is a violation of Americans' privacy. People expect their cell phone numbers to remain private," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. 

"Trolling the Internet, using data-mining techniques and simply buying lists to create a directory are actions that clearly violate a consumer's right to privacy," Zipperstein continued. "Verizon Wireless has long refused to release our customers' numbers and we call on legislators and policy makers to ensure that what a consumer wants to be private stays that way."

Verizon Wireless has a long-standing policy not to provide its customers' wireless numbers to any directory project or third party. Customers view their wireless phone numbers as private and consider their wireless phones as a place they don't have to face intrusions from telemarketers and other unsolicited calls and messages.

Over the past several years, the company has successfully brought legal action against telemarketers, winning injunctions, putting several companies out of business and putting others on notice that it will not tolerate these intrusions on its customers' privacy. On behalf of its customers, the company continues to investigate and pursue those who violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which makes it illegal to use an auto-dialer and recorded messages to wireless phones.


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