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From: lmg@hoqax.att.com (Lawrence M Geary)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Caller ID Privacy Question
Message-ID: 
Date: 18 Aug 89 18:39:45 GMT
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Reply-To: lmg@cbnewsh.ATT.COM (lawrence.m.geary)
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X-TELECOM-Digest: volume 9, issue 309, message 3 of 8

When I first heard of Caller ID, and realized that the phone company
would be sending my phone number to callers without my permission,
and without giving me the opportunity to stop it, I was outraged.

Now I've been on the receiving end of enough annoying phone calls to
change my mind. I want Caller ID.

Just the other day, I was involved in some matters of personal hygiene
when the phone rang. I didn't want the answering machine to get it
because I was expecting a call and had been playing telephone tag for
days. I rushed to the phone and caught it in time. It was the obscene
caller; the one who dials number after number in the night; if a male
answers, he hangs up instantly; but if a female answers he goes into
his routine. I want to stop this creep from ever invading my home again.
I want Caller ID.

Then there are the charitable organizations I once supported until they
hired phone banks and started asking me for "an extra special contribution".
And calling me at dinner time, or late at night. And they won't take "No"
for an answer. $6.50/month is a small price to get them off my back.

There are also new features possible with Caller ID. How about a telephone
that can be programmed to give certain numbers a distinctive ring? How
about a call forwarding or voice mail service that lets you single out
particular numbers for different treatment? Or an answering machine that
records calls from thosse people who never leave messages? How about
blocking calls on your FAX line from junk FAXers? The central office can
do some of these things now. With Caller ID I'll be able to buy a box
from Panasonic to do it all without an extra monthly fee.

The privacy issue is real, and there could be abuses. But I've changed
my mind and feel Caller ID is a good thing, and I will get it when I can.
--

     lmg@hoqax.att.com    Think globally ... Post locally    att!hoqax!lmg