I was surprised to learn that Google has introduced a new Phonebook feature that allows you to Google phone numbers and get the corresponding name and address on a Google map. For some, this may seem like a useful business and "yellow-page inspired" tool. For others - particularly yours truly and families with young children - this feels like a "street-view-esque" invasion of privacy.

If your number is listed in the ordinary yellow pages, but you don't want your phone number and address to pop up when someone googles your name and city or phone number, you can request to have your information removed. Google's phone and address listings are gathered by a third party provider, which collects telephone directories and other public records available elsewhere on the web. If you would like to have your telephone number completely unlisted (including from your local phone book) you have to contact your local phone company and request to be both unlisted and unpublished. Want to remove your number from the web? read more

If you want to remove your number from Google, you just have to fill out a simple form. Doing so will mean your residential listing does not appear in Google for any phonebook search, even searches conducted on your name instead of your phone number. According to Google, the removal is permanent and that it's not possible to add your phone number again in the future. For more information, visit the Google Phonebook Name Removal page.