Is new mobile directory legal?

The controversial 118 800 mobile phone directory which launched last week (19 June) is likely to face serious legal objections over privacy issues including the Data Protection Act, according to Martin Noble, associate at Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Putsman.

The service, which was due to go live last Thursday, faced technical problems on launch and opened for business on Friday. The directory allows callers to be put through to mobile phone users who are prepared to receive the call. The current directory is reported to contain details of 15 million out of the 40 million or so mobile phone users in the UK. Questions have already been asked about how mobile numbers end up in the directory with consumers and mobile networks expressing concern about numbers being made available.

Connectivity is the company behind the new 118 800 service (online at www.118800.co.uk). Callers ask to be put through (at a price) to a mobile phone number simply by providing a name and location. Connectivity acts as an intermediary and rings the target, requesting permission to connect the caller to them. Alternatively, an online service sends an SMS to the target asking them to call back the person searching for them.

Many mobile phone users will be concerned about unwanted calls, security, and how their personal information fell into the hands of Connectivity in the first place. Read the full story here