http://www.robhyndman.com/2005/05/31/is-the-national-do-not-call-registry-being-gutted/ any technology distinguishable from magic is not sufficiently advanced Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:16:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://www.robhyndman.com/2005/05/31/is-the-national-do-not-call-registry-being-gutted/#comment-86 B. Carlos Bazan Wed, 01 Jun 2005 06:26:15 +0000 http://www.robhyndman.com/?p=604#comment-86 I am visiting my son and his family here in Santa Barbara, CA, and I noticed, with surprise and satisfaction, that they did not receive any phone calls from telemarketers. After reading your note, I asked them what kind of blocking system they use to enjoy such privacy. The answer was: we do not use any blocking mechanism, we just put our phone numbers (home and cell phones) in the registry opened by the Do Not Call Law, passed only a year ago in the USA. This registry is now widely respected, even by charities. Canadians are entitled to enjoy a similar respect of their privacy. The Americans, known by their aggresive marketing and fundraising tactics have come to realize however that the privacy of the household is an ethical imperative that deserves to receive legal protection and that telemarketing is a form of intrusion which will end up backfiring. In the meantime, while we pressure the politicians to listen to the people, we should all refuse to make any business on the phone. Private initiatives have been effective in stopping junk mail ("No flyers please"); technology gives us some protection against spam; a massive and consistent rejection of telemarketing (just say "no" to whatever telemarketing call is received) might give some results. I am visiting my son and his family here in Santa Barbara, CA, and I noticed, with surprise and satisfaction, that they did not receive any phone calls from telemarketers. After reading your note, I asked them what kind of blocking system they use to enjoy such privacy. The answer was: we do not use any blocking mechanism, we just put our phone numbers (home and cell phones) in the registry opened by the Do Not Call Law, passed only a year ago in the USA. This registry is now widely respected, even by charities. Canadians are entitled to enjoy a similar respect of their privacy. The Americans, known by their aggresive marketing and fundraising tactics have come to realize however that the privacy of the household is an ethical imperative that deserves to receive legal protection and that telemarketing is a form of intrusion which will end up backfiring. In the meantime, while we pressure the politicians to listen to the people, we should all refuse to make any business on the phone. Private initiatives have been effective in stopping junk mail (”No flyers please”); technology gives us some protection against spam; a massive and consistent rejection of telemarketing (just say “no” to whatever telemarketing call is received) might give some results.

]]>