A major debate over privacy issues has erupted following the launch of the Golden Pages online directory. One of the site's features is that it allows users key in the name of a street, and access the names and addresses of all the people resident on that street. A number of Telecom Eireann subscribers have raised concerns about the implications of this service.

They believe it offers immediate advantages to direct marketing companies who want to target specific areas. Normally direct marketers would pay large sums to obtain such detailed information. Now some customers are concerned the availability of such information could result in entire streets being inundated with junk mail.

While the same information is currently available from the Thom's Directory or electoral register, some Telecom Eireann customers argue that the Golden Pages listing contravenes Telecom Eireann's subscriber agreement clause. This offers customers the option to omit their numbers from lists Telecom makes available to direct marketers.

One Telecom customer was told it would be at least a month before his name could be removed from the listing, and then there would still be a risk it could reappear because Telecom refreshes the site every month. He was advised to seek an ex-directory listing.

A spokesman for Golden Pages told The Irish Times that the site feature is under review. The company is "taking on board" people's opinions through a feedback form on the site, and telephone callers to the company, the spokesman said.

The debate has spilled over into other areas of the Internet, and has become the subject of online conversation in the chat room on the Irish Internet Association's website (www.iia.ie). Many contributors have defended the feature saying such information has always been available, and attempts to limit it online would contravene everything the Internet represented.