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Phone Numbers

All articles tagged with #phone numbers

technology15 days ago•2 min saved

WhatsApp Introduces Global Username Reservations to Keep Numbers Private

WhatsApp has begun rolling out global reservations for usernames to hide users’ phone numbers and let contact be initiated via a chosen username. Users can reserve a unique username in Settings > Account > Username and may enable a username key for extra protection, which requires knowing the key to contact someone for the first time. A username generator will help pick one, and creators can claim existing Instagram or Facebook usernames on WhatsApp. The feature emphasizes privacy with no public directory or suggestions and will roll out gradually over coming months, with notifications when it’s available in your country.

via The Hacker News|

#phone-numbers #privacy #security

technology2 months ago•3 min saved

AI Chatbots Leak Real Numbers, Prompting Privacy Wake-Up Call

MIT Technology Review highlights how several AI chatbots sometimes disclose real personal contact details—sometimes pulled from old documents—across platforms like ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini. The experiments show mixed responses and raise questions about training data, privacy, and how readily PII can surface from AI systems.

via Gizmodo|

#ai #chatbots #data-privacy

regional-news2 years ago•1 min saved

"Ohio's 440 Region Prepares for New Area Code 436 Launch"

Ohio's 440 area code will be exhausted, prompting the introduction of the new 436 area code in 2024 for Northeast Ohio, including parts of the Cleveland metropolitan area. Existing customers will keep their 440 area code, while new customers will receive the 436 area code starting March 1, 2024. This follows the recent introduction of area code 283 in Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio in 2023, as the increasing number of connected devices can lead to quicker exhaustion of area codes.

via The Columbus Dispatch|

#area-code #northeast-ohio #ohio

technology2 years ago•1 min saved

Colorado to Introduce New Area Code in 2026

Colorado's Public Utility Commission has announced that a new area code, 748, will be introduced in the first quarter of 2026 for customers in the 970-area code overlay region who request new services or move their existing service. Current customers will retain their existing phone numbers and area codes. The new area code is necessary as the current 970 area code is projected to run out of phone numbers by 2026. This will be Colorado's sixth area code, with the implementation process expected to take nine months.

via FOX 31 Denver|

#area-code #colorado #phone-numbers

technology2 years ago•3 min saved

FCC Takes Action Against Robocallers and Telcos

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is implementing new rules to make it more difficult for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers to obtain direct access to US telephone numbers, in an effort to curb robocalls. Under the current system, VoIP providers can easily gain access to US phone numbers, which are often used by robocallers to make spoofed calls. The new rules require VoIP providers to make robocall-related certifications, disclose ownership information, and comply with state laws and registration requirements. The FCC aims to prevent the distribution of numbers to perpetrators of illegal robocalls and mitigate the risk of providing access to bad actors abroad.

via Ars Technica|

#fcc #phone-numbers #regulations