General Discussion

Try the BBC link first.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm


I tried this link to the company and you need to go to FAQ to find what I have pasted below the link, I have already done mine, so your choice.

http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.html



Can I be ex-directory with 118 800?
You can become ex-directory from this website. Or you can text the letter ‘E’ to 118800 from the mobile phone you want to be made ex-directory. Standard network charges apply. The first time 118 800 contacts you you will be sent an SMS reminding you about how to become ex-directory. Please allow up to 4 weeks for your ex-directory request to take effect.

How do I know when I am ex-directory?
We will send you an SMS message confirming when your details will be ex-directory.

Thanks for the information User 4549, but I've got nothing to hide, so I won't be going ex-directory.

That and the fact that mine's a company mobile phone. ;0)

Roy, I have nothing to hide but I like to have choice, and I dont want cold calls trying to sell me something,which will come from companies who have bought the information from this company.

Fair does - your choice.

Roy, User4549,
It is difficult for me to see how publishing a directory of mobile phone numbers can be consistent with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998:

"In determining for the purposes of the first principle whether personal data are processed fairly, regard is to be had to the method by which they are obtained, including in particular whether any person from whom they are obtained is deceived or misled as to the purpose or purposes for which they are to be processed."

On the basis that there has not been such a directory until now, how can anyone be assumed to consent to inclusion on it?

Any lawyers out there, please help.

I am in the phone book and don't have a mobile, so I have no personal axe to grind.

Don

What annoys me most apart from data protection, is they have taken away my choice.
Its like the DVLA selling my details (£2.50) to anyone who in their eyes is not a criminal or have mal intent, and yet checking my paper licence It seems I have accepted their terms and given them permission

Conversely, Data Protection Act is

a)incorrectly quoted as a reason by organisations for failing to provide non-personal information.

Example: the company that would not tell me when they were going to deliver a washing machine to my address because I was not the person who had ordered it.

b) used by public bodies as an excuse not to communicate with each other even when it does not apply in that particular case.

Example: TDC are informed by Benefits Agency immediately there is a change in benefits status
but then refuse to contact the Benefits Agency , putting the onus on you to get any further information for them.

Lawyers, please clarify if I am wrong here.

Don

Have you tried clicking on the links in the original post (which User 4549 no doubt posted in good faith)?

It's nowhere near like being the intrusion on people's privacy that the email that User 4549 pasted onto here implies.

Roy try reading the whole site, then make your choice, this is just part of it.

Service suspended whilst we make improvementsThe 118 800 service for mobile phone connections is currently unavailable - from this website and by phone - whilst we undertake major developments to our 'Beta Service' to improve the experience for our customers. We'll be back as soon as possible with the new improved service.

All ex-directory requests made by people in our directory to date are being processed. There will be no need to resend these requests. And we will take further ex-directory requests when the service resumes. We will not be taking ex-directory requests by phone or text whilst the service is not operational.

Please do not call us on 118 800 for anything other than landline directory enquiry requests as you will be charged for the call.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Roy, What is dubious about what I posted?
If your happy to get unsolicited calls thats your choice, I dont.

Part of the BBC report:

Second, from online businesses who often ask customers to tick boxes during the normal course of online transactions.

Thirdly, 118800 gets them from brokers who buy and sell lists of phone numbers.

118800 said that has about 15m phone numbers on its databases which is just a fraction of the 40m adults who have one or more handsets in the UK.

Some legal observers are concerned by the precedent the system sets.

"You are supposed to have people's consent if you are going to pass their number around and they need to know where it is going to go," says Chris Watson, a lawyer at CMS Cameron McKenna.

"When people tick a box, saying they have no objection to their number going to the company they are dealing with, they don't anticipate that it could then be sold.

"Not just possibly to trading partners, but to anybody under the sun".

So tell me what is dubious about my post??

I've already stated that it's not as bad as you make out. However, I'll break it down into bite-sized chunks for you:

1. They don't actually give out your number.

2. Your name and number is not listed in a directory for all to see.

3. If someone rings 118800 and asks for you, 118800 calls you (if you're in their directory) asking if you want the call to be put through to you.

Aaaaand relax.

I didnt say it was bad, I said I like a choice, and do not want to be bothered by unnecessary calls. I also dont like that fact that they can sell my number.
AAAAAAAAh so you know what you can do with that.