zweig@ida.org (Johnny zweig) (06/12/90)
It just occured to me that it would probably not be too difficult to program a PBX to accept incoming calls to a given set of numbers, listen for dial strings on the incoming line (like when you call the local MCI or Sprint access number and then type in the number you'd like to call) and have it call out for you. Presto! Johnny's Caller*ID Buster Forwarding-service (tm). Now anyone who wants to place a Caller*ID-proof call can use my service (1-900-555-NO-ID) and have an outgoing call appear only as my service rather than their own number. Of course, people would have to trust my service to be 100 % confident of their anonymity -- but it would sure work for Dr. Jones who wants to call patients from his home without disclosing his number. And of course, if I ever let out a customer's number nobody would use my service anymore. I trust K-mart enough to give them my VISA number when I buy stuff, so it seems like a service that just might fly. Or is there a law against it already? I mean, if there is no reasonable expectation of privacy when placing a call, I guess I could see some long-haired weirdo lawyer argue that a service which gives you such privacy would undermine the fabric of society or something... Johnny Random [Moderator's Note: Actually, a couple such services have started already, using 900 numbers. PT]
rider@pnet12.cts.com (Michael Fetzer) (06/15/90)
[poster talks about his method for defeating caller ids] I hate to bust your bubble, but they already have 900 services to do just that. UUCP: ucsd!serene!pnet12!rider or ucsd!mfetzer ARPA: crash!pnet12!rider@nosc.mil INET: rider@pnet12.cts.com or mfetzer@ucsd.edu BITNET: fetzerm@sdsc