mrotenberg@cdp.uucp (06/11/90)
A survey conducted by Louis Harris & Associates and released today reveals high levels of consumer concern about privacy protection. "The Equifax Report on Consumers in the Information Age" surveyed 2,254 consumers and 916 business executives by telephone during January through April, 1990. Among other findings, the poll revealed widespread public concern about unrestricted Caller ID. Though a 55-43% majority believed that telephone companies should be allowed to sell Caller ID, support for public regulation is clear: 48% say caller ID should be permitted by regulators only if calling parties have the ability to block the display of their number, just over a quarter (27%) say Caller ID should be forbidden by law, and just under a quarter (23%) say Caller ID should be available without any limitation. The poll also found that women "are considerably less likely than men to think Caller ID should be allowed." More information on the Harris survey is available from the Equifax Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia and the CPSR Washington Office. Marc Rotenberg CPSR Washington Office rotenberg@csli.stanford.edu