Rethinking the Do-Not-Call list
I signed up for the list, but now that I think about it I am a little pissed that the government took it upon themselves to decide who I could block from calling my house.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of the idea of giving people the option of blocking solicitors, but why not give me the option to block charities, political calls, and surveys as well?
Some people argue that there should be no DNC list and that people who don't want calls should go and buy one of those tele-zappers from Radio Shack. Personally, I think the DNC list is effectively the same as buying the tele-zapper, but far more efficient as there is a demonstrated public desire for the service.
BUT, I presume the tele-zapper can be set to block charities and surveys as well and if it can't one can easily envision a technology that would (maybe an answering machine that dissuades solicitors before the phone even rings).
So why not give us the option when signing up for the DNC?
Don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of the idea of giving people the option of blocking solicitors, but why not give me the option to block charities, political calls, and surveys as well?
Some people argue that there should be no DNC list and that people who don't want calls should go and buy one of those tele-zappers from Radio Shack. Personally, I think the DNC list is effectively the same as buying the tele-zapper, but far more efficient as there is a demonstrated public desire for the service.
BUT, I presume the tele-zapper can be set to block charities and surveys as well and if it can't one can easily envision a technology that would (maybe an answering machine that dissuades solicitors before the phone even rings).
So why not give us the option when signing up for the DNC?
Comments
While I'm not sure of a DNC Nationwide list I feel that they should be required to never block their caller ID info. That way we could do the blocking on our own.
Originally posted by hmurchison
This is not a "Free Speech" issue. Your "Freedom" doesn't extend to my Paid Phone Service.
I agree.
I also think we need to start lynching BS judges that are randomly *ucking around with things. First in CAL and now in DC....
I believe there are existing laws in all states that require individual organizations to keep their own DNC lists, so you should be able to tell any group to put you on their own DNC list. But I'm not sure if that applies to charities and political groups.
BTW, the only reason the feds can get involved is because it's interstate commerce if an out-of-state group calls you, so in-state groups are unaffected by this national DNC list anyway.
Originally posted by hmurchison
This is not a "Free Speech" issue. Your "Freedom" doesn't extend to my Paid Phone Service.
While I'm not sure of a DNC Nationwide list I feel that they should be required to never block their caller ID info. That way we could do the blocking on our own.
It is very much a freedom of speech issue. The do not call list is discrimination and censorship plain and simple. Creating a law that disallows a group of people the right to communicate via phone, based on what they want to communicate, is just wrong.
As for caller ID, I don't like the idea of making it illegal for some people to block there caller ID info. What I would like to see is some new features added to Caller ID, but I think I'll start a new thread for that.
Originally posted by burningwheel
well if the telemarketing industry took it upon themselves to start the list then the US gov wouldn't have got involved. the telemarketing industry obvoisuly don't give a sh*t about people
They do have a list. It cost you $5 a year to be on it and only the group that associated with Telecommunications blah blah blah Association of America or some such group respect the list.
So it's crap.
I dunno, that would be like me being allowed to stand in a schoolyard cussing a blue streak, and the teachers couldn't tell me to shoo because it would violate my free speech. (Extreme, I know...)
Originally posted by JimDreamworx
So I am not allowed to discriminate and censor who I wish to call me on my phone? I must accept all phone calls?
-snip-
Screen your calls all you want (I know I do), no one is going to force you to pick up the phone, or keep you from hanging up on someone you do not wish to talk with. Just don't let the government to pass laws preventing people from even trying to communicate with you.
Originally posted by Res
Screen your calls all you want (I know I do), no one is going to force you to pick up the phone, or keep you from hanging up on someone you do not wish to talk with. Just don't let the government to pass laws preventing people from even trying to communicate with you.
How can you screen your calls when the telemarketer blocks caller ID info? Should I have to guess if it's a friend who's in an analog call area on his cell phone?
As for your revised caller ID proposal - if I set up a rule to disallow any calls with the telemarketing header, is it not the same as signing up for the DNC list? If there is no requirement for caller ID header info to be passed along with a telemarketing phone call, then your proposal would be useless.
FCC to take over FTC role in DNC list enforcement.
"The public is understandably losing patience with these unwanted phone calls, unwanted intrusions," Bush said. "Given a choice, Americans prefer not to receive random sales pitches at all hours of the day. The American people should be free to restrict these calls."
Smartest thing he's said in a few months.
Originally posted by audiopollution
How can you screen your calls when the telemarketer blocks caller ID info? Should I have to guess if it's a friend who's in an analog call area on his cell phone?
I just let the answering machine pick up if there is no caller ID, if it is someone I want to talk to I'll pick up the phone when I hear their voice.
As for your revised caller ID proposal - if I set up a rule to disallow any calls with the telemarketing header, is it not the same as signing up for the DNC list? If there is no requirement for caller ID header info to be passed along with a telemarketing phone call, then your proposal would be useless. [/B]
It is quite different. The do not call list is would make it illegal for a group of people to dial your number, and inflect criminal penalties on them if they do call you (even accidentally). With headers I would route all calls with missing or unknown header information to my "junk voicemail" box.
Originally posted by Res
With headers I would route all calls with missing or unknown header information to my "junk voicemail" box.
So, would you make it a requirement that all telemarketers must include header info?
Originally posted by Res
It is quite different. The do not call list is would make it illegal for a group of people to dial your number, and inflect criminal penalties on them if they do call you (even accidentally). With headers I would route all calls with missing or unknown header information to my "junk voicemail" box.
It doesn't impose criminal penalties on the callers, and it doesn't make it illegal for a group of people to dial your number. It only provides a database for people to choose to say "I don't want to be called by you," which, remember, the telemarketers say they want.
Otherwise California could never get away with their draconian restrictions on corporate speech.
Originally posted by BRussell
It doesn't impose criminal penalties on the callers, and it doesn't make it illegal for a group of people to dial your number. It only provides a database for people to choose to say "I don't want to be called by you," which, remember, the telemarketers say they want.
Uh, as far as I can tell you are mistaken -- The do not call list is not just a database that telemaketers can use if they want to. The government can fine telemarketers who call numbers on the list up to $120,000.
Originally posted by bunge
Forcing people to use an answering machine, caller ID, or answer and hang up, costs people and businesses money. The Courts have already ruled that no one has the right to force you to pay money.
The reason telemarketers cannot call you on your cellphone is that it cost you money to receive the call. On a ground line it is only the caller that gets charged.
Answering your phone and hanging up costs you money? How, and is it any more then the cost of going through your mail? Besides no one is forcing you to use caller ID or an answering machine. If you want to use them you can.
Originally posted by Res
The reason telemarketers cannot call you on your cellphone is that it cost you money to receive the call. On a ground line it is only the caller that gets charged.
Answering your phone and hanging up costs you money? How, and is it any more then the cost of going through your mail? Besides no one is forcing you to use caller ID or an answering machine. If you want to use them you can.
Fair enough, but I pay the monthly fee on my home phone line for my own use.
My use of an answering machine should be for receiving messages while I am out, not to screen calls. Caller ID is useless when many cell calls and telemarketing calls come through as 'Caller Unknown'.