Posted on: 01-03-05 20:25:11
Hi,
Google has implemented a feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number (now only working for phone number in USA)into the search bar and hit ENTER and then you will be given a map to their house! Everyone should be aware of this!
Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked .
Before posting this message, I tested it by typing my old USA telephone number in "Google.com". My phone number came up alongwith my name, and when I clicked on the "MapQuest link", it actually mapped out where I live. Quite scary, to much information for public consumption.
Think about it - if anyone, gives out his/her phone number, someone can
actually now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: http://www.google.com/
<http://www.google.com/> Type your old USA phone number in the search bar>(i.e.555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on the highlighted "PHONE BOOK RESULTS FOR (PHONE #)". Scroll down to the form provided and fill it out, and submit it. It will take 48 hours to complete.
If you are unlisted in the phone book, you might not be in there, but it is a good idea just to check. If your number does come up, just click on "MAP" and it will show you a direct map to your house.....
You might want to pass this on to friends who are in USA and not aware about this new google feature.
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ani
I don't think this is a "new" feature.
They started doing this well over three years ago.
I used to live in the US at that time, and I think I removed our phone number from their "directory" about 2 years back.
The mapping "feature" might be new, but their reverse phone number lookup is not.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
I didnt know about Google, but yahoo has had this feature for several years. Actually you dont even need anyone's phone number, you can type in the last name and search for matching names anywhere in the US. It will give you the complete address (with a link to map the address) and phone number, you can also do an email search to find the email addresses as well. I have actually used this service to reconnect with some old schoolfriends from India as well.
http://people.yahoo.com/
Likewise, do a google search with your own name and you might be surprised to see some of the sites where your name appears! I know I was.
And yes, its scary the amount of personal information available out there.
