Google has implemented a new feature - read

[Magrat2005]

please read this and then click this link to try if for youself(i did and sadly... it works! the link is www.google.com

Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and then you will be given a map to their house. Everyone should be aware of this! Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. Before forwarding this, I tested it by typing my telephone number in google.com. My phone number came up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest link, it actually mapped out where I live. Quite scary. Please look up your own number. Read below for details. Think about it--if a child, gives out his/her phone number to someone they can actually now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: <http://www.google.com/>Type your phone number in the search bar (I.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your phone number. Removal takes 48-hours. If you are unlisted in the phone book, you might not be in there, but it is a good idea just to check. If your number does come up if you hit map, it will show you a direct map to your house... Please forward on to friends and family

I got this off another forum I use, I tried my number, thankgod it didnt work for me, but the person who posted this lives in the USA, so I dont know if it just over there, but I thought I'd let you all know, get feedback, not have any bickering or arguements...

[Stephon]

I'm not sure when that was posted on the other forum, but it's not a new feature; there was a brief uproar about it a few months ago.

On the surface it sounds ominous, until you realize that anyone (here in the US, at least) can call directory assistance and, with only a person's name, get that person's phone number and address. Then it's a simple matter to locate it with an online map service. The Google feature only simplifies that by one step.

So, if you can block that feature anyway, it's really not that big a deal. Especially when you realize that if some psycho wants to get you, they're going to manage, whatever you do.

[Magrat2005]

Originally posted by Stephon
I'm not sure when that was posted on the other forum, but it's not a new feature; there was a brief uproar about it a few months ago.

it was posted on there today, but I havent heard anything about it....I was just letting you guys know

[Doctor Eric]

In 1997 I was talking to someone on IRC and who asked my last name, and after a couple of minutes said "So you live across the street from a pizza restaraunt, huh?"

This feature has been around a lot longer than a few months.

[martin ewen]

Its useful for gigs

You get off the phone having confirmed a gig. Google the phone number of the venue, get address, mapquest it, print it and file ready to pick up and drive on the day.

[firegirl]

What's the Big Deal?

You can find out far more damaging information than where you live with less information than a phone number. There is a program I use in assisting in grant writing in which you only need have a person's first/last name and the city they live in to be able to find out EVERYTHING about them... from the classes they took in college, to how much they spent at the grocery store last friday.

These programs are far from new. Granted, the public cannot access most of them... but, I agree with whoever it was who made the comment about directory assistance (ie: 411) - it's not as if this is a new concept. And, prior to this you could type in the person's name and you'd get a link to a yellow pages site... then you'd only need the person's name and the city they live in to get a map to where they live.

It's just the advancement of technology... yes, it's scary - but, it's not shockingly new. This is far more scary: they have started implanting a chip in *all* electronic handheld devices (ipods, cell phones, those horrid computerized schedule thingies with the little pokie sticks to type with...) which can be tracked by the company (or g'vt) to see exactly where you are at all times. Physically. This chip will be standard in all electronic devices in less than five years.

That scares me far more than someone being able to find out where I live.

Anyhow.

[Stretch]

Oh good grief . . .

http://www.reversephonedirectory.com/

http://www.melissadata.com/Lookups/

Repeat after me:

There is no such thing as privacy, there is no such thing as privacy, there is no such thing as privacy . . .

get over it!

Someone calls you on your land line (but doesn't leave a number) here in the states, hit *69, get their number, use it to get their name before you call them back.

Read of an event in the society columns or elsewhere with only names listed, look up their contact info and mail to them for their next event.

The concept of privacy is like the concept of communism: From those acording to their ability, to those according to their need. Problem is reality is more along the lines of All are equal, but some are more equal (private) than others! Hell, the CIA can't even keep their spooks private anymore, what makes anyone else think they have privacy? Ancient Chinese proverb: "The nail that sticks up gets hammerd down"! Lift your head up and someones there to find it! Might as well get used to it!

[martin ewen]

Don't despair magrat, your info may not have been completely up to the minute, but you weren't to know and you WERE just trying to be helpful.
As a result more useful info appeared.

[Stephon]

Ok, Martin, now I feel guilty

Originally posted by Magrat2005
it was posted on there today, but I havent heard anything about it....I was just letting you guys know

It wasn't my intention to denegrate your information, just respond to it. I should have said, "Thank you" first.

[jester]

Originally posted by Doctor Eric
In 1997 I was talking to someone on IRC and who asked my last name, and after a couple of minutes said "So you live across the street from a pizza restaraunt, huh?"

I'm sorry Dr Eric, but from the moment I met you I always assumed you would live bloody close to a Pizza Restaurant. You strike me as the kind of guy that would eat good pizza but couldn't be done with all that cardboard cluttering up your penthouse.

[Stretch]

Thanks Martin . . .

Sorry Magrat, I could have been kinder, but it wouldn't have been near as much fun.

Cheers!