How should one ask a company if they sell your data?

trapcall.com promises they can tell you the real person calling your phone, even if that person blocks their caller ID. The service sounds pretty interesting but before I sign up I would like to know if they are selling any of my call information or the information of the caller.

Can you recommend the best way to clearly ask the company?

 

thanks for the link

It doesn't seem to mention anything regarding the data they collect regarding the phone software and the information that is found using the software. My question still stand I guess, how would you recommend I ask them plainly about that concern?

 

thank you for your help, ronjor


would anyone give me some pointers regarding how I might write that email?


i.e. particular terms i could use etc..

 

If a company is not explicit in stating that they don't store or sell your data, it is most likely they do sell it. Why? Because that is a selling point, and they would want to promote the fact they "respect your privacy".

 

I can understand that sentiment, but there are a lot of wackos out there to whom I would be disinclined to identify myself to. Say the wrong thing to certain people and the next day you'll find that the first 10 Google entries for your name are soliciting sexual favors on questionable websites. I've seen it before.

 

An easier way would be to have your phone company put a trap on the line. Answer and hang up. I have done this however this is for legal issues only so i don't know if you would be able to do it. Another method is to set up your own "call center" using something like: www.asterisk.org/ and configure a PBX to intercept the call but this is more advanced.

I have found other windows programs that can sit in between the phone line and phone (provided you have 2 Ethernet slots) and act as a virtual modem that can do things such as 1) play back the "phone # not in service message" or even 2) force the person to reveal there # before letting the call through

#2 is also possible with a call to your phone company (here in Canada at least) you can block unknown numbers and the caller has the choice to either A) Record their name and a computer will dial through and say the name is calling you (ie. you have a call from John press 1 to accept or hang up now). or B) reveal their number. This is the simplistic method as if they don't reveal there number your phone will never ring

 

thank you everybody you have given me plenty to consider