I recently tweeted about the fact 118 800′s website was conveniently down not allowing me to unsubscribe from the controversial mobile phone directory being set up in the UK. What annoys me and many others is that 118 800 never asked my permission to use my data in the first place and alot of people feel this should be an opt-in directory not an opt-out.
I recieved a reply from a fellow tweeter @SkippyUK informing me of a phone number I could call and a contact name of a employee who could remove my data from the directory not just make me ex-directory. I felt as a fellow member of the Internet community I should share this information as we all have a right to have our data protected and removed from any list. However it seems 118 800 were not too happy with this information leaking out and I’ve received a email from their PR company (Biss Lancaster) who in my humble opinion have just generated a whole load more bad publicity for 118 800. It reads as follows:
Subject: Your post on 118800
Message: Could you pleas remove the telephone number of <removed name>
from 118800 from your recent blog post. We’ve been in touch with
“Skippy” on Twitter.
If anyone wishes to become ex-directory they should email
contact@118800.co.uk.
Thank you,
<removed for privacy>
Companies who go after bloggers have always generated a lot of bad feeling amongst the Internet generation and now it seems there are some companies who wish to stop tweeters from spreading information also. As an act of good faith I’ve removed the offending telephone number and names to respect privacy of these people in the hope someone from 118 800 replies to this post with a few answers to some questions which address concerns a lot of people have over their service.
1. If we become ex-directory will you still sell access to our details to other private companies? How do intend to stop companies abusing your service.
2. How can we have our data completely removed from your service? If we can’t what are your reasons and justifications?
3. What steps have been taken to protect the contact details of children?
4. Why isn’t your service an opt in directory which gives the individual the option of being apart of your service?
5. Why is a directory enquiry service asking people to remove their telephone contact details? Doesn’t this defeat the object of your service?
6. Who is your data protection officer and what are their contact details?
7. What are you going to do about the website scalability problems which have prevented many users from becoming ex-directory?
We’d love to hear from you 118 800 so please get in touch!
