How private is your phonenumber???

[fishfreek]

I am in the telecom industry and I just got this notice over an e-mail group I subscribe to. I had known you could type a phone number and get the persons name and such but never realized there was a quick link to a map and text directions. Personally I like some degree of privacy. I know I know there really is no such thing as privacy any more as just about anythign can be found out about anyone at any time. But you should try to make it as hard as possible.

Luckly my number is unlisted and the listing google does have is for the person who had the phone number before I did.

There is a new feature available on Google (www.google.com) that makes it possible to type in a telephone number into Google's search bar, then click the search button, and have a MapQuest page returned as a result. Any person wishing to discover the physical location of a phone number, be it a home or business address, could use this feature to locate a physical street address, and receive explicit directions on how to get there from anywhere in the country.

One positive use of this feature could be to determine the location of, say, an party for whom you may only have a telephone number. On a negative note, this feature could also be used by an angry party to find out where you live.

Google has made available an option that will allow anyone to remove their telephone number from the database that is linked to the mapping feature. You will first need to check if your number is listed in this manner by attempting a search - entering your full telephone number separated by dashes (e.g., 404-524-5811). If the number appears in the mapping database, an icon resembling a telephone will appear next to the first or second entry on the results page. Clicking on this icon will l take you to a page containing a description of the service, and a link to request your number be removed from the database.

Many people are unaware of this danger. I personally, don't want any "Tom, Dick, or Harry" having a direct map (and the map IS perfect) to my house just by having my phone number. Go to www.google.com then type in your phone number in the main search box... be sure to leave a space or dash between the parts -- ex: 404 524 5811 or 404-524-5811.

[minx]

Thankfully this doesn't cover the UK ... find that a bit disturbing really!

[Anemoneman]

Thanks! I opted out.

This shouldn't work if your phone number is unlisted. I tried it and it didn't work...My number is unlisted...I didn't have to opt out of anything...

I am listed everywhere, and it didn't give me a map result. Maybe my wife already opted out of this, I dunno.

Scary feature, thats for sure!

[fishfreek]

When you look at your listing you dont see two links to the side that say Yahoo Maps and Mapquest? If you click them you would get a map. I have heard there is a way to protect your address from your phone compnay and if you do this then a map of your city appears vs a map to your house.

[rthoman]

My number gives like 3 address for a bunch of people! and none are me so I'm not to worried.

[alrmc4]

thank you very much for the info!

[fishfreek]

I just wanted to make people informed.

[StarrKill]

I've actually tried that with my own phone number, and let me tell you, it works quite perfectly. For some reason though, I don't think anyone would want my identity, my life, my relatives, my non-existent money, and i try to stay out of peoples way so the angry people shouldnt be shooting through my windows anytime soon. i actually wish there was a way to find people that was for free. no "free" scams crap. but so far, i havent found one. do you know if this works on people's prior phone numbers? anyway, it is a bit freaky....i dont want any weird people coming and trying to do me harm for their fun....