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Company Yanks Online Cell Directory

90 million numbers taken offline after consumers freaked out

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2008 5:47 AM CST

(Newser) – Data company Intelius scoured business records and other sources and managed to compile around half the cellphone numbers in America, MSNBC reports. When it put those 90 million numbers online, available to anybody paying a $15 fee, people were outraged. Consumers were shocked to find their private cellphone numbers were easily accessible, and a wireless phone company threatened to sue.

“Stop it,” said a Verizon Wireless executive. “This is a violation of Americans’ privacy. People expect their cellphone numbers to remain private.” Intelius has now taken the service offline, deciding that the country is "still not ready" for it. Consumer groups, who said people had been "freaked out" by the directory, welcomed the move but said Intelius still had some privacy issues to deal with.

Consumers were 'freaked out' by the news that a data company had gathered 90 million of their cellphone numbers from places like pizza delivery companies.
Consumers were 'freaked out' by the news that a data company had gathered 90 million of their cellphone numbers from places like pizza delivery companies.   ((c) the_majestic_fool)
A Motorola Razr cell phone is seen at a consumer electronics store, in this Friday, Jan. 19, 2007. An online directory with 90 million cellphone numbers has been taken offline after consumers were outraged at their private numbers being made accessible.  (AP Photo/Lisa Poole, File)
A Motorola Razr cell phone is seen at a consumer electronics store, in this Friday, Jan. 19, 2007. An online directory with 90 million cellphone numbers has been taken offline after consumers were outraged...   (Associated Press)
'People expect their cellphone numbers to remain private,' said a Verizon Wireless executive outraged at Intelius putting a directory of 90 million cellphone numbers online.
'People expect their cellphone numbers to remain private,' said a Verizon Wireless executive outraged at Intelius putting a directory of 90 million cellphone numbers online.   (Magnum Photos)
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