The US government, BT, AOL Time Warner and others are backing a
scheme called ENUM, or e-numbers, that offers everyone a single
11-digit contact number as a substitute for all numbers and
addresses needed for their e-mail, phone, mobile, fax, and pager
communications. However, the technology has been criticised for
potentially undermining the privacy of users.
An ENUM address reverses a standard phone number and adds an
additional code for recognition by e-mail systems. Over 100 billion
potential combinations are possible with the 11 digit system.
The theory behind the proposed mass allocation of numbers is
that technology can be developed by telcos to direct different
forms of communication using just one number and giving individuals
the means to choose the medium by which they are contacted and by
whom.
Critics in the US have expressed concern that the ENUM would
affect the relative anonymity that users enjoy on the internet,
whilst also affecting the security of public phone systems. The US
Centre for Democracy and Technology, a privacy group based in
Washington, is campaigning for the right to opt-out of the scheme.
The Centre and other privacy groups fear that an ENUM database
would represent a major risk of privacy invasion, although it is
not yet known if or how the scheme will be rolled-out.
