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09 Jun 2009
The first directory enquiry service for UK mobile phone numbers is due to launch on 18 June.
Connectivity, the company behind the 118800 service, has given assurances that privacy will be protected, but consumer watchdog forums are already buzzing with complaints, and privacy groups are up in arms.
Unlike a fixed-line enquiry service, 118800 will not give out numbers. Instead, a user will provide an operator with the name and home town of the party they wish to contact. If the name is in the 118800 database, the operator will call the number and ask permission to connect the caller.
In the event that the called party fails to answer, users can elect for the operator to leave a voice message or send an SMS. Calls to 118800 will be charged at 14p per minute, chargeable per second, plus 69p per call.
A web-based service which uses SMS to request the called party to contact the caller will be launched on the same day on 118800.co.uk charged at £1 per search.
Some members of the public who have seen early publicity for the service have not reacted well in public forums.
"I do not want my mobile numbers on your database," said one contributor to the mobile phone forum on MoneySavingExpert.com.
Privacy groups are also wary of the service. Even Simon Davies of Privacy International, who was hired as a consultant by Connectivity during the development of the service, told The Times that there are "fundamental privacy issues".
"The company needs to be far more specific about where it acquired the numbers on its directory, and from what sources," he said.
Connectivity is adamant that it built the 118800 database from legitimate sources, and has done its utmost not to include anyone under the age of 18 on the database.
Anyone can opt out of the database at anytime by texting 'e' for ex-directory to 118800. The first time anyone is contacted by the service after it launches, they will be given the option to de-list.
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Do you agree?
Stop it now!!!
I think it is a stupid idea to advertise everyones mobile number on a site.. Anyone could get hold of anyones number in this case.. Theirs some wierdos out their,we dont want them getting their hands on our mobile numbers.. I think it will corse arguments between people.. theirs bount to be childish people out their that give funny phone calls stupid times of the night.. it can be really annoying.. I think the sooner its stopped the better!!!!
Posted by: Amanda 24 Jul 2009
This is outrageous
I have tried to get onto the site and send a text but been unable to. I feel very vunerable as a single female!
Posted by: S Thompson 12 Jul 2009
Opt out online
The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to unsubscribe seems to be here: http://www.118800.co.uk/removeme/remove-me.html
Posted by: Pete H, Exeter 12 Jun 2009
Mobile phone Directory
What will they do next to make money. If a fixed land line is ordered the subscriber has the option to have an entry in the Phone Book or, as many now do opt to be ex-directory. It is also possible to register with the Telephone Preference Service to stop incoming calls from business's. All of these are free. This new service offers to "pre-filter" and then connect to the un suspecting 'customer' or leave a message. All of which most phone owners don't want in the first place. They offer an 'opt out' to those who want to stop the calls. At a cost - 40p if you text and double that if you phone the service. What a cheek, thay should pay us for privilege, as it is if just 100000 of the millions of claimed numbers seek to stop the intrusion 118800 will gather £50k to £60k and merely say it will take a month to comply. Remember if a family has more than one phone the cost of stopping it is per phone.
Posted by: MiWort 10 Jun 2009
Well....!
Could be really useful when someone leaves a garbled voice message whereby you cannot hear the number they are leaving, or when you have a number written down wrong and you really need to contact them urgently (and it is the only number you have!). But that aside I can appreciate the issues that worry people as I prefer to decide who has my number.Will TPS work mobile services, if not it needs to!
Posted by: Trevor 10 Jun 2009
Why do we as citizens let ourselves get trampled on?
It took over 40 phone calls and 2 hours to get through to talk to someone and then they tell me that they are just sub-contracted to run the service, and they had been briefed that they would be receiving a lot of flak over this. If Connectivity Limited are that confident that the service is useful and commercially viable, why do they not use an opt-in policy, instead of buying dodgy lists. http://www.twitter.com/ripoffbritain for updates on the 118800 privacy disaster.
Posted by: DesG 10 Jun 2009
Mobile Phone Directory
I have a mobile phone for my own use and I only give out my number to those I want to have it and not for all and sundry, so my wife and I are against this sort of practice when we did not have any say in our number being included. They say they have tried to make sure all under 18's have been excluded, what about other vunerable people like those with mental health problems and the elderly???
Posted by: Gordon Jones 10 Jun 2009
DIABOLICAL
I think it is well out of order that our mobile numbers can be given out at random. I have an ex (violent) husband that I am trying to stay away from it really scares me that he may be able to get hold of my mobile number.I know they say they don't put them through without your say so but all he has to do is give the name of one of my friends and he is talking to me.?????????
Posted by: Bronze 09 Jun 2009
Stop it now
This is completely unacceptable. I am with the Telephone Preferential Scheme because I do not want to be called by anyone unless I give them my number. The same goes for my mobile. Just because I gave my number to a business eons ago why should I now be put on this list? Disgusting. And having to pay to opt out !! How do we find out if we are on the list already and stop our numbers getting on it in the future?
Posted by: cassie 09 Jun 2009