So that explains why the new mobile phone directory 118 800 was unreachable yesterday.
[…] An online directory inquiry website for mobile phones has crashed due to the volume of owners trying to remove their names from the system.
Up to 16 million out of 42 million telephone numbers were bought from market research firms ready for the launch of 118800.co.uk last month.
As word spread of the new service however, mobile phone users have moved to have their details removed from the system.
The second paragraph text in the screenshot says:
All ex-directory requests made by people in our directory to date are being processed. There will be no need to resend these requests. And we will take further ex-directory requests when the service resumes. We will not be taking ex-directory requests by phone or text whilst the service is not operational.
As soon as the site’s back up (as I write this on Saturday afternoon, it’s still not), I’ll be there, too, getting my info removed.
Why? Well, no one asked me if I would like to be included in any mobile phone directory. I have no interest in businesses that opt you in without asking and then give you an opportunity to opt out. Cheeky!
In any event, my experience with phone directories of any type is that the only calls I get once someone finds me listed are sales calls or simply calls from people I have no wish to be in contact with (usually more sales-type people not interested in actual conversations).
Why should my expectation of 118 800 be any different?
Anyone who wants to get hold of me by phone can find my number here, free of charge.
9 responses to “Zero expectation of 118 800”
[Blog] Zero expectation of 118 800 http://tinyurl.com/mmw7jb
Twitter Comment
So, MR firms are allowed to sell personal data? [link to post]
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[Blog] Zero expectation of 118 800 http://tinyurl.com/mmw7jb
Hobson: Zero expectation of 118 800:
So that explains why the new mobile phone directory 118 800 was unr.. http://tinyurl.com/kv29g3
So, MR firms are allowed to sell personal data? http://bit.ly/YyJL3
I don’t want my mobile number given out, as people are always trying to find out who I am!
Virgilio Anderson
Twitter Comment
@Vicky_Bentall I blogged about 118800 on Sat when it was down then. [link to post] Definitely want to remove my info!
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@Vicky_Bentall I blogged about 118800 on Sat when it was down then. http://bit.ly/YUATN Definitely want to remove my info!
Hi Neville,
Joe from 118800.co.uk here.
First of all, thanks for writing about us. We can understand peoples’ concerns over privacy – as it’s such a new concept. But again, by way of reassurance, we’ll never actually give out anyone’s personal details. When you search on 118800.co.uk, we’ll send an SMS message to the person you’re looking for, giving them your contact details – and it’s up to them to call you back.
Our service on 118 800 and 118800.co.uk was being tested in June. There are now developments we want to make to improve the service for our customers. But due to the high levels of enquiries we are getting, we are simply not able to complete the technical work required whilst the service is live. We are sorry for inconvenience and will be up and running again as soon as possible.
We’re genuinely interested in getting peoples’ feedback so that we can shape the service to make sure people are comfortable with it, and for it to be as useful and reliable as possible. We’re asking anyone with concerns to get in touch using the feedback form on our website.
Thanks
Joe
118800.co.uk