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From: OWENSJ@VTVM1.BITNET (John Owens)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: Telephone Privacy
Message-ID: <889@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 16-Oct-87 11:54:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: hplabsz.889
Posted: Fri Oct 16 11:54:27 1987
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> ([C&P] stands to profit by [calling number ID devices'] use)

Let's not just assume that.  In what ways does it stand to profit?
By selling the devices?  Will they charge extra monthly for their
use?  It seems more like a "hey, look how good a phone company
we are and how we make technological innovations (just like we did
when we had Bell Labs :-)" kind of thing than a major profit-making
venture.  Phone companies have to compete with others for local
monopolies....  Anyway, to the real issues:

> A child picks up a phone in an emergency and dials 911 or 0, and
> the operator instantly registers the orginating number.

Almost all modern 911 systems already do this; from what I hear,
the 911 operator gets a screen with the calling number, name(s),
address, and any special medical information they may have on file.

> Obscene phone calls are instantly traced to their source.

But as you point out, these people can still use pay phones.
Once it is known that this kind of device exists, people will
find ways around it.

> On the other hand, so are calls to the IRS, computer bulletin 
> boards, and AIDS hotlines.

Exactly.  That's why a method is needed of making "anonymous" calls;
something the caller can do to cause their number not to be displayed.
Does anyone know if anything like this is proposed?  In any case,
I can't see an AIDS hotline, for example, wanting to install one of
these devices, and this would actually enhance computer security.
Systems with modem lines would install recording versions of these
devices on those lines, and if a break-in is attempted....  Many
legitimate bulletin boards these days are requesting phone numbers
and calling them back for verification before they allow access;
only those using boards that encourage illegal activities should
worry, but the owners of those boards would be very reluctant to
give that information out, and we want to hamper criminal activities
anyway, right....

>     Many are concerned with the "chilling" effect of such devices--will
> the potential presence of such devices cut down on potentially beneficial
> uses of the telephone as well as potentially criminal (or at least annoy--
> ing) uses?

I think it will just pose a new set of rules for interaction via telephone.
Society has adapted to plenty of changes in the phone system; it will adapt as
it adapted to party lines, direct dialing, call waiting, and other innovations.
Phone Phreaks will use their current techniques of "bouncing" calls off
of other numbers to hide their identity or figure out ways of sending
their own "calling number" tones to override the phone company's; people
will call BBSs through intermediaries like PC Pursuit more often, and
the general public will become aware of the difference between incoming
and outgoing PBX trunks :-).  This sounds like a good subject for a
good science fiction story (the kind that shows the subtle effects
of a new technology on people's lives)....

In general, it's important to look at this from the called party's perspective
as well.  The claim could be made that the person being called has a right to
know who is calling, and that this applies to individuals, business, and
government.  (Remember, the government is just another user of the system;
it's not taking advantage of any authority in using devices like these.
In most other countries, the phone system is part of the national government,
and is usually the same entity as the postal service; here we have the
situation that the phone companies are as interested in serving private
users and businesses as they are the government.)

Any thoughts on my ramblings?

John Owens