Another "Privacy" Red Herring

Lot's of "privacy stuff" today. [Duh! It's Monday . . . slow business news day, remember? ed.] This item in the NYTimes, entitled, Plans for Wireless Directory Raise Concerns About Privacy is interesting. Background: telecomm carriers considering publishing of a white pages for cellular phones; law put before both the House and the Senate (US) to require user "opt-in" to protect privacy; privacy advocacy groups insisting that it is a privacy imposition and should not be done.

What nonsense! What a red herring! What . . . [insert something else displaying proper level of indignance here]!

First, the telcos need to publish a wireless directory to re-generate revenues that have been lost to the waning land-line publishing operation. So, they want to make money off the listing as they've done FOREVER.

Second, those opposed to it are less concerned about privacy in the "you shouldn't know that about me" variety than about privacy in the "do not disturb me" variation. [Sadly there doesn't appear to be a set of different words for these two meanings -- at least not in English. Maybe, given the debate that is developing, there should be. But, I digress. ed.] Regardless, neither is or has been a RIGHT of holders of a telecommunications address, EVER. Nor, probably, should it be. So, despite the fact that I completely agree with this side's desires -- who wants telemarketers to have the cell phone number too? -- the argument and action is cloudy nonsense.

Third, who's heard of the philosophical paradox of the immovable object and the irresistible force? That's what we have here: social desire facing off against the profit motive. Hoo-wah!

Finally, if/when the wireless connection becomes more pervasive than the land line connection, what happens? What's the logic behind it.

It's not exactly bread and circuses, but it does keep one amuse while the City burns.

Posted by Grayson at January 26, 2004 08:28 AM