[ale] a Google <feature!> OT

[Alan Dobkin]

As disturbing as this may be, it is not a new feature.
Google has had this feature for at least a year or two,
and the same data (more up-to-date) has been available
for several years with AT&T's AnyWho reverse lookup:

http://www.anywho.com/rl.html

Alan

--On Thursday, April 22, 2004 12:03 PM -0400 Sean Kilpatrick 
<drifter at oppositelock.org> wrote:

> Sorry for the intrusion of basically non-Linux
> stuff on this list, but I think it is important
> to all with young children. My Libertarian soul
> is appalled at the new ways public data and be
> sorted through relational databases.
>
> What follows came in over the transom on one of the
> mail lists I frequent.
>
> It's true. I tried it before deciding to forward
> it. I have not yet tried the "removal feature."
> But I will!
>
> Sean
>
> - --------------------- <begin forwarded data> ---------------------
>
>> 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.
>
>> 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, single person, ANYONE gives out his/her
>> phone number, someone can actually now look it up to find out where
>> he/she lives.
>
>> To test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: Google
>> www.google.com Type your phone number in the search bar with or without
>> dashes (i.e.
>> 555-555-1212 or 5555551212) and hit enter.
>
>> If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information,
>> simply click on the telephone icon next to your phone number.  I removed
>> my name, but it 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.