GOOGLE INVADES YOUR PRIVACY

There is a new feature that makes it possible to type a telephone number into Google's search bar, click the search button, and have a MapQuest page returned as a result.  Any person wishing to discover the physical location of a phone number, be it a home or business address, could use this feature to locate a physical street address,and receive explicit directions on how to get there from anywhere in the country.

 

Go to www.google.com  then type in your phone number or any phone number you are aware of.  If you have an unlisted number you are not at risk, but you should pass it on to your family and friends.

 

Google has made available an option that will allow anyone to remove their telephone number from the database that is linked to the mapping feature.
You will first need to check if your number is listed in this manner by attempting a search - entering your full telephone number separated by dashes (e.g., 555-123-4567).

 

If the number appears in the mapping database, an icon resembling a telephone will appear next to the first or second entry on the results page.  Clicking on this icon will take you to a page containing a description of the service, and a link to request your number be removed from the database.  Many people are unaware of this danger.  I personally don't want anyone to have a map (and the map is perfect) to my house just by having my phone number.