118 800 mobile phone directory crashed under extreme pressure
According to reports an article over on v3 has it that the controversial mobile phone directory service 118800.co.uk crashed when thousands of users jumped online to remove their mobile phone number from the website.
118 800 has only been live one month and now displays a holding page which states “service suspended while we make improvements.”
According to the newspaper the Telegraph, 118 800 obtained 16 million mobile phone numbers from online businesses and research firms, but apparently 118 800 does not hand out those numbers to those who pay for their service.
The web has been inundated with posts from unhappy users who cannot access the website to change their mobile number to ex-directory and have even called for Ofcom or the Information Commissioner’s Office to reappraise the fairness of the 118 800 service.
Comments
6 thoughts on “118 800 mobile phone directory crashed under extreme pressure”
I will certainly remove my number, a lot of people want my number ie: ex-colleagues who have nothing better to do than make unscrupulous phone calls just to anoy people.
Hello, Joe from 118800.co.uk here.
Just to reassure you that we’ll never actually give out anyone’s personal details. When you search on 118800.co.uk, we’ll send an SMS message to the person you’re looking for, giving them your contacts details and it is then up to you if you wish to call them back or not.
We connect people that know each others name and address. We do not give out numbers to anyone, including sales organisations.
The website has been taken down for some essential maintenance work to be carried out, in order for us to improve the service we offer our customers. Any requests to opt out of the service before the site was taken down will still be carried out so there is no need to opt out again.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using the feedback form on our site.
Thanks,
Joe
118800.co.uk
Hello Joe – disgruntled user here.
Firstly, does your company really think we are stupid?
The week a viral email goes round your web site goes down as ‘its a beta site’. Honestly, you must think we are stupid. Your site is backed by 17 million of 3i money- you would have not launched this site if it was beta. Also, if it was beta you never mentioned it before…
In 2007 you said you were going to ask for people’s permission before adding. What made you change your mind?
I feel sorry for you as you have been asked to do this by one of the connectivity management, but if I was you I would look for another job. You are on the ropes and on your way out!
Opt in is the only way forward.
If I wanted my mobile number made public I would do it myself. The minute 118800 is up and running again I will be taking my number off the data base.
I really hope they don’t get the thing working again and that ofcom or someone with the authority shuts them down. This “service” blatantly compromises privacy.
Joe from 118 800:
Your own CEO admitted on the BBC’s Working Lunch 14/7 that this data was made live on the Internet without proper testing. How can the public feel assured that proper security measures have been taken to prevent any hacking into your servers, which contain thousands of confidential records from people who don’t want to be on your database?
Virgilio Anderson
Ever since I asked them to put my number on their purported ex-director list last week (on advise from friend at BBC who strongly recommended it) I’ve been receiving calls daily from BLOCKED numbers.
One emotive call almost had me give over my bank details as he claimed he was collecting for orphans apparently wandering aimlessly around Afghanistan due to the current insurgence in the Helmand Province. Until I realized it must have something to do with 118800.
Should have trusted my gut instinct before getting on that list to get off that list (you know what I mean). Thought I was getting one step ahead of the game, my advise to you, steer clear altogether.