Evil Operator
Only a Prank Call
Prankdial.com is a website that offers a wide array of services to its users. It includes applications such as Fake Caller ID, the Ring Prank, Auto Breakup, and many others. Among the most controversial of its services is Evil Operator. This program can be accessed and used by anyone in the world. The idea of the idea of making a prank phone call through the internet has had wide appeal. The program allows you to enter in two different telephone numbers into the site. Before you click the “Send Call” button, you have two options. The first option explains “I would like to record this conversation. I agree to notify the caller they are being recorded” and the second mandatory option states “I agree to the Terms of Service.” Let’s face it, what’s the sense in making a prank call if you can’t hear it, so you click both options and hit the “Send Call” button. You are prompted to the next page that tells us that your “Current Status: Connecting Your Victims.” Each of your victims receives a phone call and on their respective caller ID’s, Person 1 would receive and incoming call from Person 2 and Person 2 would receive an incoming call from Person 1. Of course, this process doesn’t work every time; however, when it does the “evil operator” receives a link to the phone call’s recording. “Evil operators” are given one call per day using the application, however, one can purchase more calls if they so choose to do so. It is my argument that although this website is legal through its instructed terms of services, I believe that it promotes an atmosphere of misuse and is fundamentally unjust and illegal. Privacy is the expectation that confidential personal information disclosed in a private place will not be disclosed to third parties when that disclosure would cause either embarrassment or emotional distress to a person of reasonable sensitivities (Standler). The Telecommunications Act of 1996 establishes some prank calls as a felony
Prankdial.com is a website that offers a wide array of services to its users. It includes applications such as Fake Caller ID, the Ring Prank, Auto Breakup, and many others. Among the most controversial of its services is Evil Operator. This program can be accessed and used by anyone in the world. The idea of the idea of making a prank phone call through the internet has had wide appeal. The program allows you to enter in two different telephone numbers into the site. Before you click the “Send Call” button, you have two options. The first option explains “I would like to record this conversation. I agree to notify the caller they are being recorded” and the second mandatory option states “I agree to the Terms of Service.” Let’s face it, what’s the sense in making a prank call if you can’t hear it, so you click both options and hit the “Send Call” button. You are prompted to the next page that tells us that your “Current Status: Connecting Your Victims.” Each of your victims receives a phone call and on their respective caller ID’s, Person 1 would receive and incoming call from Person 2 and Person 2 would receive an incoming call from Person 1. Of course, this process doesn’t work every time; however, when it does the “evil operator” receives a link to the phone call’s recording. “Evil operators” are given one call per day using the application, however, one can purchase more calls if they so choose to do so. It is my argument that although this website is legal through its instructed terms of services, I believe that it promotes an atmosphere of misuse and is fundamentally unjust and illegal. Privacy is the expectation that confidential personal information disclosed in a private place will not be disclosed to third parties when that disclosure would cause either embarrassment or emotional distress to a person of reasonable sensitivities (Standler). The Telecommunications Act of 1996 establishes some prank calls as a felony
Cited: Flynn, M. W. (2008, December 26). The Legality of Recording Conversations. Retrieved December 7, 2010, from Legal Lad: http://legallad.quickanddirtytips.com/the-legality-of-recording-conversations.aspx LII, Legal Information Institute: U.S. Code. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2010, from Cornell University: Law School: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/47/223.html#a_1 Standler, R. B. (1998, May 24). Privacy Law in the USA. Retrieved December 7, 2010, from RBS: http://www.rbs2.com/privacy.htm Terms of Service. (2010). Retrieved December 7, 2010, from PrankDial: http://www.prankdial.com/terms