Legal Issues Hounding Reverse Phone Trace Services

There are legal issues that hound reverse phone trace services in various countries. The services may or may not be available widely in some countries, unlike in the United States.

The Case In Australia

In 2001, Australia's Telstra Corporation, the leading telecommunications company in the country, filed a case against Desktop Marketing Systems, a reverse phone trace service provider. Telstra claimed that Desktop Marketing used the content of its White and Yellow Pages to create a database that is used mainly on reverse phone look ups. The Australia Federal Court found that Telstra has the right to complain and do legal moves against Desktop Marketing. As a result, all other reverse phone services in the country ceased to operate.

The legal implications of running and operating a reverse phone trace are logical. Telecom firms usually argue that all the information used by the services are coming from telecom companies' phone directories. This was highlighted in Australia. Now, the remaining reverse phone services in the country are those that operate for free. Telecom firms usually do not sue those free service providers because they say their information is not used to generate dollars for the benefit of other companies.

In The United States

Reverse phone trace services have become most popular in the United States, where the service is believed to have originated. So far, there are no legal battles similar to what happened in Australia. The only legal issue in the US is the complaint of some consumers over invasion of privacy. They claim that cell phone reverse look up services are violating their rights to be private. To date, many cell phone numbers are not listed on reverse look up directories. However, some services are able to create databases out of public information revealed by cell phone users themselves and obtained from public utility documents.

In the US, consumers could also choose between paid and free reverse phone trace services. If you want to get more accurate and updated information, you are advised to sign up with those paid services. Every search could cost about $.080 to $1.50 on the average. Free services may not be reliable as there is no guarantee that you would be able to obtain the information you need.

In The United Kingdom

In the UK, reverse phone trace services are not usually allowed by law. Reverse directory contents could not be made publicly available in the country. However, there is one area where printed telephone directories in reverse listing format is made public. It is in Channel Islands.

The British government may authorize the use of a reverse phone look up during emergency and national situations. Authorities prefer to classify the information as highly confidential to protect the interest and privacy of phone users and subscribers. The government reserves the right to access the information when it needs.

Legal Issues Hounding Reverse Phone Trace Services

By: Ingrid Margaret

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