- December 20, 2010 7:54 pm
I’m pretty sure that most of you would agree with me that telemarketers have the worst job in all of the human races’ existence. There’s no saving grace, no perks, and no enjoyment because everyone hates you. In fact, people hate telemarketers so much they go out of their way to add their phone numbers to these miles long lists designed to prevent telemarketers from invading their lives. And for Canadian cellular carrier, Bell, they had to learn the hard way that you just don’t go ignoring do-Nnot-call lists without facing some stiff penalties.
Today, the Montreal Gazette ran a story detailing Bell’s unfortunate business dealings and even more unfortunate fine totaling $1.3 million! For those keeping note, that’s the largest fine for violating a do-not-call list in Canada’s history. Truth be told, it wasn’t just the simple violation of the list that got the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission upset. Bell actually contracted a 3rd party to call on their behalf in an attempt to either fool those who over see such do-not-call lists and/or avoid any potential fines levied against those violating said lists.
It’s a big win for consumers who go out of their way to rid their lives of nuisances like telemarketers only to have their own carrier sell them out.
- December 21, 2009 9:19 am
Of all the things an organization shouldn’t be these days is that of a technologically deficient and incompetent organization. The NBA apparently wants to milk TV/network deals for all their worth while simultaneously ensuring they further remove value and “closeness” from the fans the so desperately seek. Continue on…
A few months back, the NBA issued a statement saying that all social networking done by players, coaches, team members, etc., was to be done only after all official news interviews and other “official” means had wrapped up. Stupid and pointless but ok, I’ll go along with it. Unfortunately for Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks, he became the poster child for the broken mess that is the NBA’s technological image, fining the player $7,500 for breaking the bogus rule the organization has mandated. What was so threatening to the precious revenues of the big networks that now monopolize sports news?
“Back to 500. Yess!!! “500″ means where doing good. Way to Play Hard Guys.”
Way to be classy NBA. Again, the blanket ban on personal social networking during official media coverage is stupid to begin with. But could some common sense be used from time to time? I mean no harm or actual news was given up. Anyone else disappointed?
Tech Dirt > ESPN
Talking on the phone and the measures people have gone to to limit it’s use are a necessity in today’s digital age. Texting has of late replaced many individual’s need to talk. If you’re the type that prefers text based comunication to actual talking, you know how much time texting can consume. While many states and even the federal government is pushing legislation that bans texting while driving and imposes minor fines, committing said act in Utah could land you in the slammer for quite some time.
A law making it’s way through Utah government would treat texting while driving the same as drunk driving. That is, if you crash or cause phsysical/bodily/property damage or harm while texting, you could be facing up to 15 years in the iron jungle. By far the most severe punishment so far. I can’t say I don’t agree as texting while trying to navigate a 4000+ lb. vehicle at any speed is like russian roulette.
Of course, some minor issues that are standing in the way include how to actually “prove” a victim was texting. While law enforcement could certainly try to seize phone records while those victims can simultaneous claim they weren’t texting means a whole can of worms is emerging. Even further still, people could claim they were simplydialing a number to call someone. (So far, no law or government has differentiated between the two activities). And the cherry on top of this moutain of red tape is that current privacy laws can hinder the seizer of the needed phone records needed to truly prove of texting at a certain time. Certainly some of these issues need to be worked out. But how quickly can the various governments involved work together to find a common solution?
Are you glad change is coming?
**Extra:In order to fully grasp the consequences of texting while driving, the NYT has posted a rather insightful mini-game that may just open your eyes to the dangers of said activity.
Source: NYT, ImageSource
