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12 Jul 2009
The controversial 118800.co.uk mobile phone directory service has crashed, after thousands of users flocked online to remove their numbers from the site, according to reports.
The site, which launched last month, now displays a holding page which reads: "Service suspended while we make improvements."
The firm obtained up to 16 million mobile numbers from market research firms and online businesses that require customers to leave their contact details, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Although it does not hand out phone numbers to those who pay to use the service, it will connect a caller to the person they are looking for, leading some campaigners to complain that it is an invasion of privacy.
However, UK data protection watchdog the Information Commissioner's office (ICO) has given a green light to the service, which includes a simple ex-directory opt out on the web site. Connectivity, the company behind the service, said that it only bought customer information which was already in the public domain.
The Twittersphere has been awash with posts from angry users who are unable to get on the site to make themselves ex-directory, some calling for either Ofcom or the ICO to reappraise the fairness of the service.
The message currently displayed on the site says that it is undergoing major developments and will be "back as soon as possible with the new improved service ".
"All ex-directory requests made by people in our directory to date are being processed," it adds. "There will be no need to resend these requests. And we will take further ex-directory requests when the service resumes. We will not be taking ex-directory requests by phone or text whilst the service is not operational."
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Do you agree?
118 800's Day Off
I don't want my mobile number given out, as people are always trying to find out who I am! Connectivity's own CEO admitted on the BBC's Working Lunch 14/7 that this data was made live on the Internet without proper testing. How can the public feel assured that proper security measures have been taken to prevent any hacking into the 118 800 servers, which contain thousands of confidential records from people who don't want to be on their database?
Posted by: Virgilio Anderson 20 Jul 2009
118800
Well I'm sorry, but if I go on a site on the internet which insists that giving my mobile number is a 'mandatory field' i.e. if I don't provide it I can't proceed with the transaction - then I don't have much alternative. But I certainly have not given my consent for the number to be sold to anyone. Not at all. Period. And do you believe what 118800 are saying about 'improving the service' (one I don't want) and 'we'll never give your number out unless you agree'. Well I'm sorry but I don't. After all, they got it in the first place from people who said you could trust them!
Posted by: David MacMullen 14 Jul 2009
A bit of a shock
I was a little shocked to hear that my mobile phone number has been sold to this company this morning when i recived an email that has done a circle round my office at work. plus where is my share of the money for selling my number without my consent or for that matter anybody's concent. I was lead to belive that selling on information which was suposed to be confidential was illegal obviously i was wrong. I belive that if i wanted the whole world to be able to contact me then id most probably put my mobile number on the internet myself through one of the social networking sites facebook or myspace, somthing like that. But i havent because i only give people my number who i want to contact me. Although they say that you have the choice wether or not people contact you as you get their number. There will be some way that these silly tele marketing places will also manage to get hold of all the numbers on the 118800 database and call all of us about rubbish we dont need or want. so i think il be opting out for my number to be on there. There isnt really going to be much of a use for 118800 by the time everyone has taken off there numbers as it doesnt look like many people are willing to leave their numbers with this company. Just one more thing, i think it would have been out of comon courtesy for 118800 to actually contact every person and let them know that they have taken our numbers and tell us what thier doing to them.
Posted by: Rebecca Cornish 14 Jul 2009
Did you know?
Many mobile providers already list your mobile number in direcvtory enquiries. Mine's been listed in London W1, despite moving from there in 1998. If you don't check the box, it's listed. Sounds similar to me.
Posted by: En_croute 13 Jul 2009
118 800
Hello, Joe from 118800.co.uk here. The website has been taken down for some essential maintenance work to be carried out, in order for us to improve the service we offer our customers. Any requests to opt out of the service before the site was taken down will still be carried out so there is no need to opt out again. Our service on 118 800 and 118800.co.uk was being tested in June. There are now developments we want to make to improve the service for our customers. But due to the high levels of enquiries we are getting, we are simply not able to complete the technical work required whilst the service is live. We are sorry for inconvenience and will be up and running again as soon as possible. Just to reassure you that we?ll never actually give out anyone?s personal details. When you search on 118800.co.uk, we?ll send an SMS message to the person you?re looking for, giving them your contacts details and it is then up to you if you wish to call them back or not. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using the feedback form on our site. Thanks, Joe 118800.co.uk
Posted by: Joe 13 Jul 2009
This is an invasion of privacy and should be stopped!
So Connectivity's defence is that this data is available in the public domain? What parasites and what a con! It may be available but NOT collected together in one place and deliberately marketed for sale. The ICO should be taken to task for their shabby decision. They should stop this erosion of our privacy. I'm disgusted.
Posted by: cosmo 13 Jul 2009
118800
Peoples number should remain private unless they decide to put it onto a directory. This company have no right to make this information public or available to anyone without the consumers knowledge or permission.
Posted by: wendy butler 13 Jul 2009
Why are so many people worried?
I know that having all your personal info all over the internet is not a good thing from a personal security standoint, but really folks think about this for a second. Where did this firm get your numbers from? your bank? i doubt it. It is more likly to be places like online shops and facebook. And unless you are the head of Mi6 who can also be found on facebook thanks his rather thoughtless wife then I don't think there are going to be too many people who give a rats A** about your phone number. I know a pop group member who has had many a number one in the uk who's home phone number is in the bt phone book and she has never had any problems so i think the boring everyday bussiness type is way over reacting. get a life!
Posted by: Prometheus 12 Jul 2009
USING NUMBER FOR OTHER PURPOSE IS IMPERTINENCE
.
Posted by: ANON 12 Jul 2009
Source
If your number is on the sevice they should tell you where it originated from so you can check if their source breached any contract they had with you. It's outragious that a company that you deal with for a business purpose should then outsource your data without an explicit opt-in option. ICO you'd better re-think this, it's not in the public interest and will open the flood gates.
Posted by: m_a_x___p_a_y_n_e@hotmail.com 12 Jul 2009
Absolutely distgusted that this has sneaked in
How dare the watchdogs allow this to happen? You should opt in, not have to opt out this is an invasion of privacy absolute disgusting
Posted by: Paul Verymad 12 Jul 2009