the end of the wireless sanctuary

This NYT article explains how millions of wireless users are signing contracts where the fine print allows providers to add them to a phone directory.

I like that my cell phone is 'unlisted.' I know each time I pick it up-- it will be someone who I gave the number to. This is especiallly important in a world where I have to pay for the incoming calls. I don't want my limited minutes being eaten by direct marketers and other phone spam.

Maybe we need a wireless privacy act, like the fax privacy act and based on the same underlying argument-- when the receiving party has to pay for the communication, the burden shifts to the caller to get advance permission to initiate it (opt-in) instead of regulations like the do not call list where the recieving party bears the burden of advance notice that they do not want to receive the call (opt- out).