Google Click-to-Call's Manipulation of Caller ID Raises Concerns

[mandy]

From Google's FAQ:

3.Whose caller ID do I see when connected?

The phone number of the business you selected will appear on your caller ID when Google connects you. This way, you can save the number for future call-backs.

5. What if someone enters my phone number instead of theirs as a prank call?

Google takes fraud and spamming very seriously. We use technical methods to prevent future prank calls from the same user within a reasonable period of time. You won't be charged for any such calls. Please contact adwords-support@google.com if you believe someone is entering your phone number without your permission or knowledge.

http://www.google.com/help/faq_clicktocall.html

An obvious issue with such a service is that there is no reasonable way to validate the user phone number that is provided. Google says that they have mechanisms in place to try avoid repeated prank calls, but the potential for abuse is obvious.

Of even greater concern is that Google says that it will manipulate the caller-ID on the calls made to the user-provided number, to match that of the business being called. This is extremely problematic, since it could be used to try to convince a prank target that they were being called directly by the business in question, and so cause that target to direct their anger at the innocent business. In the case of targets who are on do-not-call lists, it is possible to imagine legal action being taken by callers upset that the business in question called them "illegally," though in fact the call had been made by the Google system...

full article: http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000200.html