Posted on 02/18/2005 7:46:00 AM PST by Corin Stormhands
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't like this. I just got this email from our IT Division.
-----
I just received this information. It seems that Google, a web search engine, has added a phone number search that will provide an address and link to a map to that address. Actually it is not much different than the web white pages and other search engines for people and phone numbers except for the fast way to find the owner of a phone number and a map to their address.
************************************
Google has implemented a new 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. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com/
Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter.
If you want to B L O C K Google from divulging your private information, simply click into your telephone and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours.
If you are unlisted in the phone book you may already be omitted.
welcome to the information age.
Understood. It just creeps me out that they have the link to the maps. I know, I know, anyone could type it in from the phone book as well.
Maybe I just need a cup of de-caf.
Actually that feature has been there for a very long time! I've used that many times especially to trace down "annonymous" callers.
Reminds me of that scene in "The Jerk" when Steve Martin gets his name in the phone book...
Ouch!
Fair enough. I've asked for the thread to be pulled.
And I'm switching to de-caf.
Been using them for years. Don't even know where my phone book is anymore.
Come on man, that scene was a riot :) Probably not so funny if it happened IRL tho. I see your point.
Oh, I know, I was agreeing with you. I just have visions of me running around the office with my laptop screaming "My name's on the Internet! I am somebody!"
old news
IT'S THE OIL CANS!!! GET AWAY FROM THE OIL CANS!!!
I know. I posted before thinking it thru.
I've asked for the thread to be pulled.
My phone number shows someone else at a different address. Double checked, no typo.
Must have been the last guy to have this number, I'm unlisted.
Relax. Anybody who's really wanted a map to your home has been able to get it for years. I have my address unlisted (even though my phone number is listed) to discourage casual look-ups, but since I own my home, the property transfer and mortgage history with address is available to anyone willing to pay a couple of dollars and type my name into Lexis-Nexis.
It's not a bad idea to periodically run a Google search on your own name (use both "First Last" and "Last First" to pick up everything). I found a couple of posts I'd made to Yahoo groups which, although you had to be a member to post, made the archives readable to anyone. Nothing super-sensitive in them, but just a little more information about my personal interests and history than I wanted to be available to any stranger who types my name into Google. Both the posts were removed after my e-mail requests to the group owners. Other things can't be removed, but at least you know what information about you is publicly available.
I know. Read the rest of the thread. I posted before I thought it through and have asked for the thread to be pulled.
Not to worry. Post-before-you-think is a time honored tradition on FR :-)
Sometimes the only exercise I get is jumping to conclusions.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.