Google privacy???

by Tatiana 14 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Tatiana

  I received this forwarded from my dad tonight...

  Subject: Privacy
  >
  > Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can
  > type someone's phone number into the search bar and
  > hit enter and you will be given a map to their house.
  > Think about it--if a child gives out his/her phone
  > number, someone can actually look it up to find out
  > where your child lives.
  >
  > I tried this today and it does just what Google said
  > it would.
  >
  > ANYONE with children should be frightened by what this
  > could do. When you bring up the map of your area...
  > Mapquest will actually put a star on your house on
  > your street.
  >
  > In order to test whether your phone number is mapped,
  > go to www.google.com and type your phone number in the
  > search bar with the dashes (e.g. 310-xxx-xxxx) and hit
  > enter. If you have an unlisted phone it will not
  > appear.
  >
  > NOTE: If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your
  > private information, simply click on the phone icon
  > next to your phone. You will see a link where you are
  > allowed to REMOVE yourself.
  >
  > PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, ESP. THE ONES
  > WITH CHILDREN OF ANY AGE.

  I did this and someone elses name actually came up. But it did give complete directions to her home. Since I've only been here two months, I'm thinking it may take longer to "update" their files. I will keep checking to make sure my name doesn't come up.
  
  Sorry, wrong map. This must be the person who had the number before me.
• 

  iiz2cool

  I tried it and nothing came up. I've been here for 3 years.

  Walter
• 

  Stacy Smith

  Very true, I just typed in mine. It's my parents house. Scary isn't it? Be careful who you call even.
• 

  micheal

  I think it just works in the U.S. I tried my cousins number in Florida and it worked. I tried a few people here in Canada and nothing.
• 

  Momofmany

  My address doesn't come up. That is because my number is unlisted. From what I understand, they only do this with listed numbers. I guess they feel, if it is in the phone book, they can list it. Then once you have a name and address, mapquest can give directions.

  I have also tried a few different cell phone numbers, and they haven't come up yet for me. Maybe that is still a safe thing.
• 

  morty

  I tryed a couple of numbers here from Canada...Nothing happened....when I put my Brothers in ( hes in the states, it did come up)...

  thats pretty scary,...
• 

  drwtsn32

  It's basically searching phone book records. You can buy phone book listings on CD and get the same information. When I type in our phone number, it lists our name and city, but no address (exactly what is listed in our phone book).

  I guess my point is that it's "public" information and not really an invasion of privacy. Google does make it easy to access, though...
• 

  Euphemism

  This information has been online for a while at sites like 411.com and InfoUSA. Like the doc said, it's just a big online phonebook.

  Still, this is true of a lot of online records... by combining and searching public information, you can find a lot of info on people that would have taken a lot more legwork to find before the 'net.
• 

  SheilaM

  Tatiana: Yep your right map and everything and the scenario you present is scary. Guess it just makes it easier for those that want to stalk and harm people they don't have to comb databases and crosscheck they can type in one number and viola:( All from the comfort of their own home:(
• 

  Gordy

  Doesn't seem to work in Britain.