A new top-level domain just came out this past week called .tel, and this new domain is able to store contact information, thus potentially becoming a phone book for the Internet. How it works is that it links the contact information of businesses, organizations, and individuals, and the information provided can include telephone numbers, website links such as Facebook or MySpace pages, e-mail addresses, or identities for virtual games.
When a person updates his or her phone number/information, .tel automatically updates it in the address book of of others who have their .tel information. In a positive aspect, it will help small businesses by putting their names into search engines, making it easier for customers to find them.
As this new domain opens, its’ registration is limited only to businesses and organizations wit trademark names, however by the end of March, the domain names will be available to any individual for around 20$ a year.
Is this domain considered safe for consumers? Or could it be argued as just another violation of privacy, such as past contradicting arguments towards Facebook or other social networks?
1 Comment
December 9, 2008 at 1:19 am
Of course this is a violation of our privacy… but does it really matter at this point? It seems as though in this new Web 2.0 world it is nearly impossible to prevent our basic contact information, such as address, telephone number, e-mail, etc.. At this point I do not think this would be that much more of a privacy issue. I believe this is actually quite a need concept and I think it has much potential to succeed in our new 2.0 world. I also find it funny how now links to our Facebooks and Myspaces are considered part of our contact information. Incredible…