Telephone users able to block caller ID without charge

By SCOTT MacLEOD

Phone users will have the right to block caller ID without charge and have greater control over how their names are listed in directories under a new privacy code.

Users will also have greater protection from telephone companies (telcos) sending them junk mail and from thieves tracing phone numbers to specific addresses.

The Telecommunications Privacy Code, made public today, contains 12 rules on how telcos can gather and use personal information.

The code also covers phonebook publishers, internet service providers, mobile phone retailers and some call centres.

Many of the rules are already observed by phone companies, but Privacy Commissioner Bruce Slane said the code would help to stop new firms from intruding on privacy and quell some complaints he had received about direct marketing.

The code says that telcos can generally collect information on individuals only when it is necessary for the running of their businesses.

They must gather the details only from the individuals themselves and must protect the information from loss or misuse. They must take reasonable steps to ensure the details are accurate and cannot keep the information longer than necessary.

Some New Zealand customers have complained of getting junk mail from telcos after phone companies shared personal information. The code says telcos can share such information only when they have to - for example, to connect calls. They will be barred from using such information for direct marketing.

The code also restricts "reverse search facilities", which allow people to obtain names and addresses from phone numbers.

Mr Slane said reverse searches could be used by thieves scouring newspapers for phone numbers under advertisements for expensive items such as jewellery.

The code also says that when people request that their names be listed in phone directories with initials, a nickname or a false name, their names cannot be published any other way. However, the publisher can refuse to list such names.

This rule will not come into effect until 2005. The other rules come into force on November 1.

Some of the rules were attacked while still in the draft stage by internet firms, which said they would have trouble monitoring spam and other abuses of their systems.

Mr Slane said the new code addressed those concerns.

Most phone and internet firms spoken to yesterday said they had yet to see the new code.

Telecom spokesman John Goulter said his firm already observed most of the rules. However, Telecom would have to change the way it wrote up phone directories.

"We do have some concerns that this ... requires [telcos] to do things other companies do not have to do."

There are many situations in which the telcos are exempt from the rules, such as when they are helping police.

The code will come into force on November 1, after it has been to a regulations review committee.

How it affects you:

* Phone users will not have to pay to have unlisted numbers.
* Your phone number can be blocked free so it does not show up on caller-ID phones.
* Restrictions on "reverse searches" which let people trace your name and address from your phone number.
* More options on how to list your name in a phone directory.