SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--We have always believed that if you don’t want a phone book, you shouldn’t have to get one. With the new www.yellowpagesoptout.com launched today, we now have a clear and easy way for consumers to manage the delivery of phone books. Wherever they live, consumers can now go to just one place to select which directories they want to receive and which they do not. It’s free, it’s simple, it’s ready to use, and it works.
Yellow Pages companies are committed to working with local municipalities to put in place fair opt-out programs that are easy to implement, keep costs low, and most importantly, work for consumers. However, we oppose any legislation that requires consumers to opt-in to delivery for a number of reasons:
- Thousands of San Francisco businesses advertise in Yellow Pages, generating new business leads and revenue from ready-to-buy consumers. Any effort to limit local businesses from reaching consumers not only hurts businesses, but also negatively impacts the city economy. San Francisco can’t afford to place an undue burden on local business owners trying to make ends meet.
- Directory publishers employ thousands of Californians. We do not understand why San Francisco would put jobs at risk when unemployment is at an all time high. Any legislation that puts jobs and taxes in jeopardy is bad for San Francisco, especially when the legislation is unnecessary.
- Prohibiting the distribution of yellow pages without prior permission violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government from licensing or exercising advance approval of the press and from directing publishers what to publish and to whom they may communicate.
- The city’s plan unfairly singles out the Yellow Pages industry with treatment that is different than other media, not to mention industries that introduce far more paper products into the waste stream.
- Research shows that 7 in 10 adults in California use print Yellow Pages, so we do not believe a system that puts a burden on the majority of people to opt in is the best path for choice.
We are currently reviewing our options in San Francisco, and hope to continue dialogue with the Board of Supervisors to find a fair solution that meets the city’s objectives. In the meantime, we are committed to honoring delivery requests from consumers immediately. San Francisco residents can visit www.yellowpagesoptout.com to choose which directories they receive or stop delivery altogether.