OT: google and your phone number

[AMF]

I normally don't forward things, but this one seems important, and I have tested it out for veracity. There is such a feature and there is also a Google "Google Phonebook Name Removal" form one can fill out.

----begin forward----
Google has implemented a feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number into the search bar, 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 search bar. 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: http://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 and wait to fill out the form. 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.

Forward this information on to friends and family that would like to remove this information. (If you want to.)

---end forward---

[geoschmo]

This is really nothing new. It's just a little easier now, but your personal information hasn't really been personal for years. Even before proliferation of the internet you could go to the local library and and lookup anyone's address in a reverse phone book. And once you have the address it's a simple matter to look it up on a map. This Google thing actually scares me less, because someone willing to go to all the trouble of going to the library and look me up probably wouldn't be too lazy to actually drive to my house. The same can't be said for someone idly clicking on google and mapquest.

[brianeyci]

Doesn't work for me =D.

Brian

[sachmo]

The phone book has your phone number and address in it, too. Just not automapping capibility.

[Gandalf Parker]

PhoneBook
Google has added the convenience of US street address and phone number lookup to the information we provide through our search box. You'll see publicly listed phone numbers and addresses at the top of results pages for searches that contain specific kinds of keywords.

To find listings for a US business, type the business name into the Google search box, along with the city and state. Or type the business name and zip code. Entering the phone number with area code will also return a complete business listing.

To find listings for a US residence, type any of the following combinations into the Google search box:

* first name (or first initial), last name, city (state is optional)
* first name (or first initial), last name, state
* first name (or first initial), last name, area code
* first name (or first initial), last name, zip code
* phone number, including area code
* last name, city, state
* last name, zip code

The pros and cons of having information which was always available, become available to more than a knowledgeable few.

I use Google for many things. Do NOT go to catalogs.google.com but you might want to go to news.google.com and use the alerts feature. Do an involved search and turn it into an email notify of breaking stories. I have alerts for amoung other things my home town, for rarely seen friends, and most importantly for myself.

[Slynky]

Doesn't seem to work very well.

Great Cables . COM's phone number came up as something else. My federal work number didn't come up at all. My home number didn't come up and neither did my friend's. As to the last two, I'm thinking having an unlisted number might stop it from showing.

[Atrocities]

I should point out that the maps they provide are HORRIBLY in accurate. Out of 10 numbers, 6 were hits, and of those 6 not one of the maps was correct.

They do this for a reason.