Apr 08 2008
More Paranoia
In my search for the right VoIP, I am doing some testing on RingCentral. Their quality of service seems very good, but their price is a little high for me… no other complaints. What sparks this post is an email that I received from them.
Dear Corey Smith,
In order to comply with FCC regulations, RingCentral will be disabling the Automatic Login to Voicemail feature from service on 04/13/2008.
Automatic Login to Voicemail enabled automatic voicemail system login without password entry when calling from a pre-designated phone number. The FCC has required us to remove this feature due to concerns regarding the protection of messages, call records and personal information.
As of 04/13/2008, this feature will be removed from service and you will be required to enter your password each time you access your account by phone.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for using RingCentral.
I was happy they didn’t address me as "Dear Valued Customer" but if I call from my phone, I hate having to enter my password. If my office is secure, that should be my option to have an auto-login on my voice mail.
I can’t fault RingCentral for the FCC requirement, but what struck me was "The FCC has required us to remove this feature due to concerns regarding the protection of messages, call records and personal information."
Let me explain how RingCentral had it set up… you had to manually request the ability for an auto-login to your voice mail. It wasn’t something that was set-up by default. So, the FCC seemed a bit over zealous that I am not smart enough to take the responsibility for my own voice mail security.
What, the government taking personal responsibility away? Will wonders never cease?
Corey Smith is the Chief Web Architect for Dealer Marketing Systems and maintains news for the copier, printer and document management industries.
I really think people don’t think they have a lot of control over the government. Who knows, at points I wonder if they are right, but the public still has a voice…
It is really an interesting and sad state of affairs to watch so many people allow their rights to be slowly stripped away. “As long as the status quo doesn’t take away my creature comforts, I don’t really care.” seems to be the common thread.