Verizon Wireless has called on Intelius to stop harvesting wireless numbers online using data mining techniques. Verizon says that harvesting wireless numbers that aren’t otherwise listed from social networking sites and other places is a violation of the number owner’s right to privacy.

"Stop it. This is a violation of Americans' privacy. People expect their cell phone numbers to remain private," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless says it will take whatever steps are necessary to stop the number harvesting including litigation to protect its customers.

Intelius says it will charge its customers a fee to find a number that is unlisted or unpublished and identify a person’s wireless provider. “Trolling the Internet, using data mining techniques and simply buying lists to create a directory are actions that clearly violate a consumer's right to privacy," Zipperstein continued. "Verizon Wireless has long refused to release our customers' numbers and we call on legislators and policy makers to ensure that what a consumer wants to be private stays that way."

Via Verizon Wireless