Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Organization

In California, where celebrities, billionaires and the rest of us prize a little privacy at home, the price of going unlisted is going up, big-time. Though cellphone companies charge nothing for unlisted phone numbers, consumers with traditional telephones connected by wires are often paying nearly $25 a year to stay out of the phone book and directory assistance. That adds up when you consider all the other add-on charges on phone bills.

In California, where celebrities, billionaires and the rest of us prize a little privacy at home, the price of going unlisted is going up, big-time. Though cellphone companies charge nothing for unlisted phone numbers, consumers with traditional telephones connected by wires are often paying nearly $25 a year to stay out of the phone book and directory assistance. That adds up when you consider all the other add-on charges on phone bills.

First there was "Do Not Call." Now, if a coalition of privacy groups gets its way, there might be the Internet equivalent: "Do Not Track." The coalition asked the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday to make it easier for people to prevent advertisers from tracking their Web surfing through what's known as behavioral targeting.

First there was "Do Not Call." Now, if a coalition of privacy groups gets its way, there might be the Internet equivalent: "Do Not Track." The coalition asked the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday to make it easier for people to prevent advertisers from tracking their Web surfing through what's known as behavioral targeting.