Guernsey Press

Data protection rules cut off phone number reverse lookup

SURE has removed the option for islanders to ‘reverse lookup’ phone numbers due to data protection rules.

Published
Sure's head of consumer product Mike Fawkner-Corbett. (21888553)

Previously the phone book had listed all phone numbers in number order at the back of the white pages, allowing islanders to know who had called them, based on the phone number. That included landlines and mobile numbers.

But the details are missing from the new phone book, which was released last week.

Sure head of consumer product, Mike Fawkner-Corbett confirmed the change had taken place.

‘Sure removed the option for people to use a phone number to look up a name from the online directory service last year and from the printed phone directory this year due to updated opt-in consent requirements for this specific search type known as “reverse lookup”,’ he said.

‘This is in line with guidance issued from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office.’

He confirmed that residential and business customers’ contact details could continue to be published in the white pages and yellow pages of the printed directory, online and via the company’s new app, because they are a core part of the fixed line phone service.

‘Sure has a licence requirement to publish an annual directory,’ he said.

‘However, customers can opt out if they don’t want their details published and they can do this by contacting our directories team on directories@sure.com.’

Sure has released a free mobile directory app alongside the 2018 edition of the phonebook for the first time.

‘We know that many islanders still rely on the printed phonebook for local contact information, but it’s important in an increasingly digital world that the information included is also available in an accessible way online,’ said Mr Fawkner-Corbett.