Archives: Phones & Cell Phones

The sale of phone records was first reported in July 2005 by the Washington Post.  Since then the public has become more aware of this ongoing problem.  Just last week, a popular blog, AMERICAblog.com announced that they had successfully purchased the cell phone records of former presidential candidate General Wesley Clark – drawing more attention to the issue.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center has created a special section on their website with information about this practice. Check out their list of websites that sell phone records.  And read their petition to the Federal Communications Commission asking for an investigation in to this practice.

Read a comprehensive article about this problem written by Michael Sorkin at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

With all the recent attention Congress is stepping up to take action on this issue as well. On January 18, 2006 Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL), Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Conrad Burns (R-MT), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced a bill that would make it illegal to pose as someone else when calling a phone company, or for an employee to sell customer data.  Senator Richard Durbin and Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois are also introducing legislation.

Have you been a victim?  Share your personal story with us.