SERIOUS Google Privacy Issue!!!! PLEASE READ!

See below. A friend sent this to me, and it is ABSOLUTELY TRUE...I typed in my number and it not only came up with my FULL NAME, but also my address and a map form for directions. I clicked on and asked them to delete my listing. I would suggest you do the same, ESPECIALLY if you have children. The implications are frightening, particularly in today's world.

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This one isn't an online legend. I tried it and it's true.

Google has implemented a new feature wherein you can type someone's telephone number 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 forwarding this, I tested it by typing my telephone number in google.com. My phone number came up, and when I clicked on the MapQuest link, it actually mapped out where I live. Quite scary. Please look up your own number. Read below for details. Think about it--if a child, 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/ Type your 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 the link above your name, the telephone icon or the "Phone results" link next to your phone number. Removal takes 48-hours. 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 if you hit map, it will show you a direct map to your house... Please forward on to friends and family!!!

Nothing popped up for me

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Frightwolf Posted:
Nothing popped up for me

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Did you put the area code in? Because nothing showed up for me either untill I put that it.

If your family is unlisted in the phone book, then your address probably won't come up, but it's good to check.

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beatlegirl9977 Posted:
If your family is unlisted in the phone book, then your address probably won't come up, but it's good to check.

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Either that, or if you are not listed in whatever directory Google is using for this information, it might not come up. All I know is that while we ARE listed in the book, we are listed using our initials only and with no published address, and yet it came RIGHT up with my FULL NAME and COMPLETE ADDRESS (down to apartment number!) when I put in our phone number. Needless to say I filled out the form to remove it.

This is very frightening, frankly, particularly the implications for families with young children.

Nothing came up for my phone number, thank goodness. But that's certainly very scary!

[ QUOTE ]
beatlegirl9977 Posted:
If your family is unlisted in the phone book, then your address probably won't come up, but it's good to check.

[/ QUOTE ]

THAT'S WHY! I put area code and everything, but nothing, but the above must be the reason.

We're in the phone book, and I put in the area code too and still nothing. Have they just not got to us up in Canada yet or something? Is it currently just the Americans they've targeted?

My family came up! It was certenly a bit scary . I defently sent in that form the get us off of it!

It got us too..

I can't believe that it showed up. I've requested to have Sleepy and I removed.

It must be working on U.S. numbers only right now. I added area code plus number and nothing came up (thank God). I also have an unlisted number so that may have helped too.

It's pretty scarey when you come across something like this because it can seriously jeopardize the safety of your family from all sorts of wierdos, kiddie freaks and such. There should be some sort of global law in place to protect people from this sort of thing.

There is enough sicko's out there now getting stuff off the internet to cause harm without something like this helping them out.Makes me sick to my stomach.

Maybe it's about time sites like Google and others be held accountable for what they are feeding to the general public. The only problem with that train of thought is that no two countries will agree on it. Something called freedom of expression. And that my friends is prevalent in most places whether it shows or not.

Sorry for the long rant but this really burns my butt. To find out how easy it has become to put our families at risk because some search engine site is trying to give out as much information as they can, no matter what the cost.

I'm done.

I don't like that at all...my family's line is unlisted in the phonebook, and google, but MINE was there! I removed it immediately.

OMG ! I hope this don't work here !

This is illegal in Europe,due to privacy laws.
Anyway I'll check it up.

Must be US-only. I've tried my two telephone numbers from Brazil (area code and all) and, thankfully, nothing showed up.

Somehow I'm not surprised. I found out I could do the same thing with MSN search a while back. (I'm not sure if you still can). anywho, yeah that's pretty freaky but I removed me from the list.

i googled myslef and some norwiegen jazz artist came up which is kind of kewl

I checked my # and nothing, then I went back and checked again to see if anything popped up after me typing the # in the first time, nothing there, thanks goodness.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even if you ask Google to delete your listing, there are still DOZENS of other online directories where this information can be found. Often, you wouldn't even need to know the individual's phone number to access the info - just a name and state will suffice. I often have to look up people's addresses & phone numbers as part of my job, and we have a whole list of bookmarks that we use to get this info.

The best way to ensure your privacy is to keep your number unlisted, because most of these online listings come directly from the phone directory. But even that method isn't 100% effective, because some directories get their listings from other sources (voter registrations or credit card applications, for instance).

My number does come up in Google, but honestly, I'm not worried about it, because there are so many EASIER ways for someone to find that information if they really wanted it! And anyway, it seems unlikely that someone would manage to get my phone number without already knowing my name and the town I live in - and that alone is enough for anyone to uncover quite a lot of information about me!

If you want your phone number unlisted.It will cost you.I don't know how much but they'll charge you.