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Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!darwin.ntu.edu.au!mcnab_pd
From: mcnab_pd@darwin.ntu.edu.au
Newsgroups: alt.privacy,comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Telephone Caller ID's
Message-ID: <1991Mar31.143128.785@darwin.ntu.edu.au>
Date: 31 Mar 91 05:01:28 GMT
References: <13801@asylum.SF.CA.US> <1991Mar29.154847.16915@engin.umich.edu>
Lines: 57

In article <1991Mar29.154847.16915@engin.umich.edu>, chymes@uri.csmil.umich.edu (Charles Hymes) writes:
> The explosion of direct marketing technology has led to dramatic
> increases in the ammount of junk mail in our mailboxes and sellers on
> the telephone. Information on potential customers phone numbers and
> addresses are a valuable comodity, which is bought,sold, and traded in
> the direct marketing industry. Marketed and in hand with the caller ID service
> are systems that allow the caller to cross reference the caller phone
> number with name,address, income, and other personal data.

The problem with any argument in favour of copyrighting "Telelphone ID" is
that, for the most part, all the information in it is in the public domain.
Your name, address and phone number are in the telephone directory.

On the other hand, your personal information (such as income, job etc) is
not and should not be - this is the sort of information that is collected
via "census". That information should not be made readily available for 
commercial purposes.

Unfortunately, that sought of info. is required whenever you apply for credit
cards and the like - and I've notice on certain application forms for well
known cards, that the banks or credit agencies involved reserve the right to 
use this information. However, the clause is usually ambiguously phrased,
so that it includes discloser for legal or legitimate reasons 9i.e. tax fraud
investigations) but then it could equally apply to selling the information
to a direct-mailing agency!!!

What is needed is legislation (I don't think self-regulation would work in this
area) which (a) prevents the collection of this information except for 
legitimate and accurately specified reasons and (b) gives consumers the right 
to demand - at reasonable notice - to see the information that is stored on
certain peoples computers [and if necessary, the right to demand removal 
of infringing material or correction of inaccurate data].

Hefty fines for default would also be required, instead of some pithy 
insignificant amount.

Until such legislation is introduced, then we cannot live in a truly free
democracy!!

Now for the controversial aspect - just as we have a "tactical response squad"
to deal with terrorist and other such attacks, and just as the various 
taxation departments (not just in Australia I'm sure) have the power to 
utilise "commando" like tactics to take suspected companies by surprise, so 
too, the safeguarding of personal data will require some legitimate enforcement
agency:-

Why not round up there hacker/cracker's and use their "expertise" at gaining
entry to databanks for legitimate reasons - to see EXACTLY what is stored
at various places; not merely what companies let you see from their computers.


This opinion is still entirely my own, and is still in its formative stages.
Any comments and/or criticisms are welcome!!!!

Mark Neely
NT University
Australia