deej@bellcore.bellcore.com (David Lewis) (12/17/89)
In article <2167@accuvax.nwu.edu>, clements@bbn.com writes: > In article <2064@accuvax.nwu.edu> michael@stb.uucp writes: > >It gives plenty of ABUSE to people compiling information and > >selling it. > That's why selective blocking by the callER is a requirement in my > view. It must be possible to CHOOSE whether you will give out your > number. Here's something I don't get. One argument against calling number delivery and/or in favor of calling number delivery blocking is the potential for abuse by the called party. The argument is essentially (and if I mistate it, please correct and not flame -- I'm really not trying to set up a straw man) "Called parties can abuse calling number delivery by using the calling number to compile customer lists, harass me by phone, sell my phone number to telemarketing companies, etc. Therefore, [calling number delivery shouldn't be permitted | I should be able to selectively block calling number delivery]." Like I said, I don't get this. There is potential for the service to be abused, therefore, the service should be shut off (or blockable). Isn't the problem (in this case, anyway) the *abuse* of the service, not the *existance* of the service? Wouldn't it make more sense to outlaw the abuse of caller information, whether delivered automatically or manually? If you call a mail order company, and the agent says "and may I have a phone number where you can be reached", and you give it to the agent, the potential for abuse exists. (Yes, you have the potential to "block" the "delivery" of the calling number in this case; some people may do this.) My point is, it seems somewhat of an overreaction (typical of a great many overreactions by the american public and "public servants" these days) to attempt to quell a potential abuse of technology by attempting to restrict the use of the technology. What's needed is not the outlawing of calling number delivery -- what's needed is a clear statement of policy about the (I seem to be dwelling on this a lot lately) ownership of information and the rights of parties to use or sell information that "belongs" to someone else. David G Lewis ...!bellcore!nvuxr!deej (@ Bellcore Navesink Research & Engineering Center) "If this is paradise, I wish I had a lawnmower."