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From: Leichter-Jerry@cs.yale.edu
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: CPID/ANI Developments
Message-ID: <4736@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 1 Mar 90 12:59:00 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 144, Message 5 of 10


I recently ran into another instance where Caller ID would be
problematical.  Since it wasn't implemented in the area where this
happened, it's just a theoretical issue, but as I haven't seen anyone
suggest this before...

Generally, the problems discussed so far have had to do with Caller ID
revealing WHO you are, when you might not want that revealed.  There
can also be cases in which it reveals WHERE you are, when you might
not want to reveal THAT.  Example: I have two customers, A and B.  For
various reasons, I have a close relationship with A, but it would be
bad policy for me to reveal to B that I also work with A.  I'm
visiting A, check my answering machine, and find an urgent message
from B.  A has no objection to my calling B on their line, and I'm
really not concerned about A finding out about B.

With Caller ID, if I call B, I've just given away that I'm at A.

If A is the only significant business in my field in a small town, it
might even reveal too much for me to call B from a nearby pay phone -
i.e., there are perfectly reasonable cases in which a Caller ID system
that sent only area code and prefix revealed too much.  (Note that in
the case of a call from a phone booth, you don't even need to posit my
close relationship with A.)

Now, you can say that all my relationships should be open and above
board, so that I SHOULD have no objection to letting anyone know where
I am.  But let's be real here - that same argument can be - and is -
made with respect to just about every violation of privacy.  (Why
should you object to the police searching your house if you have
nothing to hide?)

It's this "living in a fishbowl" potential of Caller ID that is so worrysome.


				-- Jerry