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'TrapCall' Exposes Identities of Blocked Callers

by Lee Bains on February 23, 2009 at 02:17 PM



Earlier this week, telecommunications company TelTech launched a new service called TrapCall, which allows users to expose the numbers (and names) of blocked callers, according to the Wired Blog.

Recently drawing some heat from the press, TelTech is responsible for the SpoofCard service, which has in turn facilitated the recent rash of 'swatting' incidents. With the SpoofCard service, 'swatters' use its Caller ID masking feature to pose as other people, calling SWAT teams to said folks' houses.

Requiring no downloads or hardware, TrapCall is accessible by any cell phone, via most networks, and -- purportedly -- displays the number and name of any and every anonymous caller.

Most notably, TrapCall has provoked protests from advocates for victims of domestic violence, asserting that this technology could allow dangerous people to locate their former partners and victims.

"The problem is serious, because domestic violence victims who've fled an abusive relationship often have to stay in contact with their abuser by phone," said Cindy Southworth, the director of technology at Washington D.C.'s National Network to End Domestic Violence, "particularly in situations where the former couple share custody of their children."

According to TelTech president Meir Cohen, there is one way for cell phone users -- including these victims -- to circumvent TrapCall's rigorous identification system: "The only way to block your number after this is released is to use SpoofCard." [From: Wired Blog]

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Tags: caller id, CallerId, privacy, spoofcard, swatting, trapcall

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