New Delhi: Anjali's mobile number may soon not be that personal. If the Government has its way, Bharti's mobile number will soon become public knowledge.
For Anjali that's a discomforting thought.
She says, "I won't allow anyone to have my number on any directory. Personal phones are to attend personal calls only, everybody cannot call and disturb you."
The telecom department is seriously considering the feasibility of listing postpaid mobile subscribers, and its being backed up by the telecom regulator.
Secretary at the Telecom Department, J S Sarma says, "It is being discussed whether pre-paid should have an optional facility, and whether for post-paid it should be made obligatory."
Operators are as unenthusiastic about the proposal as many subscribers.
DG Cellular Operators' Association, T V Ramachandran says, "In the context of tele-marketing, publishing their directory numbers is very unsafe because then one is besieged with telemarketing calls."
The Indian Telegraph Act says directories have to be published.
The TRAI says the practice is legally allowed in most other countries, where subscribers can opt out for a fee.
But it doesn't make a similar allowance for privacy laws worldwide.
The Government's move comes at a time when it's looking at ways to curb telemarketing calls.
This is likely to accelerate the problem.
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