The act of preventing one’s telephone number from being displayed on the recipient’s caller ID is a privacy measure employed in various situations. This action, often achieved by dialing a specific prefix code before the intended phone number, allows the caller to maintain anonymity. For example, prepending “*67” to a phone number in North America typically blocks caller ID information from being transmitted.
Obscuring caller ID information can be vital for individuals seeking to protect their personal data, such as journalists contacting sources, or individuals reporting sensitive information. Historically, this functionality arose to address concerns about unsolicited telemarketing calls and potential harassment. The practice empowers individuals to control the release of their contact details during outbound communication.