February 17, 2005 in Miscellaneous

New Google feature

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I use Google everyday, but I am not digging their new feature that allows you to enter a phone number and get a map to the address. That’s fine for a business, but not my personal residence. So after confirming that my number was in their system, I submitted a request to have it blocked. Thinking others out there may want to do the same.

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 on 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…




3 Comments

  1. March 19, 2005 at 4:26 pm

    tekwizchik

    This is not new, it has been around for a few years already. As a matter of fact, http://www.anywho.com is the site where Google gets the info. Typing it in Google’s site merely a shortcut. So you all know, it is AT&T who is behind anywho….

  2. February 18, 2005 at 3:57 pm

    Dragonslayer

    It’s not that good. It still has my number and address from a year ago.

  3. February 17, 2005 at 9:00 pm

    Andrew Hecht

    Sounds like a perfect reason to get rid of your landline and just use your cell phone all the time.

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