RSSVerizon users can now block numbers, track down children
by Jacqueline Emigh
Whether for screening out irate ex-spouses or persistent telemarketers, a new feature announced by Verizon Wireless today enables customers to block communications with specific phone numbers.
Beyond blocking only specified phone numbers, users of Verizon Wireless' new Usage Controls package can also opt to keep out all numbers except those they've designated as "trusted." Emergency 911 calls, however, cannot be blocked.
Available for an extra $4.99 per line per month, Usage Controls will be offered for both single line and "Family Share" plans, according to a company statement this morning.
Meanwhile, though, in a potentially draconian move, under the Family Share scenario, the controls can also be used in conjunction with VZW's Chaperone service, now extended to encompass new features in a new 2.0 edition, available for an extra $9.99 per line per month.
Initially introduced in July, the controversial Chaperone lets parents locate and track the movements of their children.
In the new Chaperone 2.0, also announced today, parents can find and send text messages to multiple family members at the same time. Parents can also apply time and date settings for the "Child Zones" where kids have permission to be situated in the physical world.
Moreover, Chaperone is also now integrated with VZ Navigator, for delivering turn-by-turn directions to the child's location -- a feature that might come in quite handy if a child gets lost, for example, but also one of a number of functions that might well set off alarm bells among privacy advocates.
13 Comments
Of course you know what that means right? The teens will just turn the phones off now so parents will not know where they are.
Its a good tech, but common teens are still going to be teens. thats just the way its going to be.
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Nah, it just means we have to get those terrorists on the "Family Plan", soz we can track 'em. ;)
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LOL!
And maybe score twice when they go over their combined alloted minutes!
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@foxfyre
I don't know of any phone that allows you to block it when it tries to call you. Can you give a specific example.
@forgie
Totally agree with you. Thought this would be cool, but not worth $5. They already gouge the consumer as it is.
@PC_Tool
Agree with you also. If kids didn't want to be found, they could just shut off the phone.
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"caller id device"
Its at home, so I cant give you the mfg and model off hand - but its over 10 years old. I'll try to remember to look, but its not a cell phone.
If you have a Skype enabled phone you can also easily block numbers. I also use this for computer to telephone calls.
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I have had a program named Phonetray for at least 7 years that uses CID to allow blocking or custom answering messages by unique ID or by type (i.e. 800 numbers).
I always placed annoying solicitors on the list that would be picked up by a recording of LOTR's Gandalf saying "You...Shall...Not...Pass!"
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You can already do this for free with caller ID if the device allows you to store and block the number(s).
I have used this for over 10 years.
What they need to do is resolve the 'out of area' glitch that plagues all of the caller ID systems.
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my LG Shine, flaky as it's become, allows me to block numbers automatically. Doesn't even ring, it sends the blocked number right to my voicemail. So nice to look at missed calls and see the one or two numbers there about once a month. Doesn't work for txt messages, but those are easy enough to ignore.
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I was interested until I saw it costs $4.99 just to block out a couple of numbers. I guess I'll continue to just screen my calls and avoid the ones from area codes I've never seen before. Thanks for nothing Verizon.
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If you pay for the line, you have the right to track it's location.
End of story.
As plain and simple as that, even for you tinfoil types out there.
If the kid wants to be unreachable, ain't no phone in the world going to stop them. None.
Privacy concerns?
Seriously?
The only concern would be if some company decided to buy these for their employees and used this plan. I am quite sure, since this is part of the "family plan", they'd have to jump through some "not cool" hoops to even get it. Looks like you may be working for the wrong company.
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Nothing prevents a company from say , installing GPS devices in the rental cars and tracking travel.
Again, if they pay for it, and you use it, enjoy.
You might want to carry it in a shielded film bag except for when YOU want to use it. After all, it willsimply dispay as out of area or service as there will be no handshake.
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I wish rentacar places would do that. I'd enjoy the looks on their faces as they find the GPS dot is out to sea.
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They already do.
Don't go out of state and violate the user agreement! ...as the guy in CA found out after lying and going to Las Vegas.
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