Posted on 03/31/2009 9:04:53 PM PDT by Grig
WASHINTON – Thanks to a little known provision in the recent stimulus bill, your cell phone number will soon be in the hands of any telemarketing firm willing to pay the government’s fee.
Section 411 of the bill empowers the FCC to ‘raise government funds through the sale of information assets’. The language is so vague that there were no concerns at the time over the potential impact, but telemarketing firms have been beating a path to the FCC’s door since they quietly announced the availability of the information that cellular providers are required by law to file with the FCC, including the cell phone numbers of active accounts.
Delivery of these lists to the cell phone companies is due to begin in less than one week, and privacy advocates have been caught by surprise. “This is an outrage” stated Ann Onimus, vice president of Citizens for Secrecy.
Annoying telemarketing ads are nothing compared to the bleak picture painted by the group. “The technology exists to make a cellular call appear like it is coming from a person on your contacts list when it isn’t, but even worse is that this information can be used to tap into a person’s cell phone to upload their contacts and call history, or even to track an individual’s location as long as they have their cell phone turned on. No warrant, no warning, just instant and total invasion of privacy without you ever knowing.”
The lists are also available for sale to foreign companies, who can not be restrained by US law over how they use of the information.
While there is nothing akin to a ‘do not call list’ to remove your information from the list, Citizens for Secrecy advises protecting yourself by removing your cell phone battery when not placing a call, or keeping your cell phone stored in container lined with 1/16” of lead. For those who need the ability to receive unexpected calls, put the phone on vibrate and keep it next to the skin in a warm part of the body, such as the armpit or groin.
Wow. If this is true, then this is going to be a major scandal for the Democrats.
I want to recant my comment.
I’m an idiot.
Riiight.
This really sucks. It REALLY sucks when you wake up in the morning, realizing that the largest threat to your freedom, liberty, God given rights, your wealth and hard work, and security — is your OWN GOVERNMENT.
It was an April Fools joke. Next time follow the link. :-P
First time someone reaches for their ringing cellphone and has an accident, the lawsuit will end the practice.
Dang, you got me. I just got punked.
I laugh whenever someone I know sends that cellphone telemarketing email around, and everyone panics again.
It was an April Fools joke. Next time follow the link. :-P
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OK, you got me. But given todays’ Washington climate and oppressive operation, it was easy to believe. This along with the ability of our phone numbers to be handed out if you do not participate in the “no call” list.
Regardless, my statement still stands.
; )
I’ve already implemented that policy, and couldn’t be happier with it.
If you watch the headlines around here you’d think every day was April 1st.
It’s actually quite easy to pull the contacts list, call history, and any stored text messages off a cell phone wirelessly, and all you need is the model of cell phone and who the cellular provider is.
You’re welcome. :)
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