topic Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received in Other Products and Services

Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:40:05 GMT

The other night I got a flash text on my sms. This is where it just pops up on the screen with the message, you press ok to dismiss it and there is no trace of the sms anywhere on your phone. Because it is a flash text the sender is not identified. I'm on Android. It was definitely somebody that knows me.

o2, I am a bit worried that someone is able to send me a flash text that just pops up on my screen, anonymously. The fact they would not want to identify themselves is more than a little bit odd.

From the research I have done, Bluebook used to allow the identification of the sender in these types of messages... however you have now scrapped texts on Bluebook so that is not an option. iPhone and Nokia used to have the ability to send these types of anonymous messages but shouldn't do anymore.

Since you allow these flash messages to be sent over your network, please advise how I can go about finding out who sent me this.

Many thanks

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

perksie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:50:55 GMT

Yes I would guess they know you, but as nothing is stored on your phone flash messages don't cause a problem.

O2 cannot tell you who sent it.

It may still be possible to send these from your pc using MyPhoneExplorer.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:50:04 GMT

Thanks but I disagree, it's a big problem that a message can just pop up on the screen anonymously and is not stored in your phone. This sort of thing could be used for crime, or to harass people and a lot of networks block these types of messages.

As mentioned I already said that I know for a fact whoever has sent it definitely knows me. I'd like an answer from o2 please

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

perksie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:53:56 GMT

jules2012 wrote:. I'd like an answer from o2 please

Unlikely to happen here.

Anyone who phones, texts or contacts you in any way and withholds their name or number is entitled not to have it revealed.

If it's a serious nuisance you would have to contact the police.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:58:06 GMT

Thanks again, but I would like a serious answer from o2 as they are allowing delivery of these messages over the network, which other networks do not do.

Again I disagree with what you are saying and would like an answer from o2. Otherwise it's one for the regulators.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:00:18 GMT

I don't mean to cause offence but I'm not really after commentary from the public, I would like an answer from o2 as they seem to have shut down their email channel of communication...

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:00:34 GMT

I would suggest that you need to contact O2 formally and not through a public forum.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:01:56 GMT

As I said the email channel appears to have disappeared and it seems a bit ott having to write a letter about this...

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:04:04 GMT

As stated by perksie, the chances of getting a formal response from O2 on this forum is practically zero.

Use this :
http://service.o2.co.uk/IQ/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE?New,Kb=Companion,question=ref(User):str(Mobile),CASE=13668

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

perksie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:06:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I don't mean to cause offence but I'm not really after commentary from the public.

If you post in a public forum that's exactly what you will get.

Contact O2 directly, use the "Contact us" link at the foot of the page to see how to do this.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:06:24 GMT

Brilliant, thank you.

I suppose because most other companies and other networks like Vodafone have social media teams monitoring their forums, I assumed o2 would be the same!

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:12:04 GMT

They do monitor and post in the forum.

But for something like your problem, chances of a response that would be acceptable to you, is practically zero......it would end up in a multi-page thread and there are enough of those in the current iPhone 5 climate !!

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:16:57 GMT

Suppose it would if people keep on replying...and I don't think you are in a position to know what would be acceptable to me! Thanks though.

They point people towards the forum, I haven't ended up here because I want to be here and get told off by members of the public. Knowing how a mobile phone network works, it is a very simple question. My mistake!

Thanks to the others for taking the trouble to get back to me. I have given you Kudos

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

jonsie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:30:27 GMT

Try the email link in my signature. If you get no satisfactory response then go down the official complaints channel and if you still fee strongly enough then you can consider the regulators.

I do agree that these should be outlawed and can imagine the distress this could cause to younger mobile users (depending of course on the content).

It could be construed as another form of bullying and not the big joke it was proported to be when these first came into existence. As in all things they are open to abuse by certain types of people.

Good luck and report back with the eventual outcome, I'm sure we all would be interested.

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:37:02 GMT

Thank you for being nice!

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

jonsie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:39:48 GMT

I think everyone has iphone fever around here, the depression is very contagious

Re: Anonymous Flash SMS received

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:23:54 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
I think everyone has iphone fever around here, the depression is very contagious

But you're still in Bangkok aren't you ?........:smileytongue: