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Marketers get AOL names
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July 24, 1997: 7:13 a.m. ET
Internet provider to offer members' home phone numbers to telemarketers
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - America Online Inc. (AOL), the nation's leading Internet services provider, said it will start selling lists of its members' home telephone numbers to telemarketers starting July 31.
AOL said it will initially offer the home phone numbers to CUC International Inc. and Tele-Save Holdings Inc. -- telemarketing companies which reached partnership agreements with AOL earlier this year. Products offered to customers will range from small home appliances to long distance service.
The move is designed to be a "member benefit" -- one that "will offer value," according to Trish Primrose, AOL spokeswoman.
However, the move could alienate those customers who are concerned about privacy. Many members have already complained about the large amount of unsolicited electronic mail known as "spam" that is forwarded to them daily.
In the past, the agreement governing "terms of service" has made home phone numbers of customers off limits. The company said it notified its members of the change to the "terms of service" in a message posted in a section of the online service on July 1.
AOL's Primrose said members will be able to opt out of the so-called "member benefit" by registering their preference with the online service.
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