Vodafone launches first NZ ‘Blacklist’ service

Vodafone have announced the first Blacklist service in New Zealand will launch on 8 November, giving Vodafone customers the power to control who they receive TXT/PXT from.

The FREE service, aimed at young people and adults alike, is now available by TXTing ‘Blacklist Add [mobile number]’ to 713 on your Vodafone mobile.

When you Blacklist a number, it will prevent any further TXT/PXTs coming through from that number to your phone. This includes TXT/PXTs from any other network.

Vodafone’s contact centre receives 6,000 calls a year regarding TXT bullying and recognised a need to give customers the freedom to choose who they can be contacted by. The new Vodafone Blacklist service will act as a first line of defence.

Vodafone’s General Manager of Consumer Marketing, Kursten Shalfoon, says “This is one of several initiatives we’ve taken a leadership position on as part of our commitment to encourage our customers to use their mobiles responsibly. We’re proud to be the first in New Zealand to offer this service and we’ve made it free so that all our customers can access Vodafone Blacklist when and if they need to.”
 
This is the first phase in a plan to give Vodafone customers more control around who can contact them. Shalfoon adds that “a second phase of increased controls for parents will be launched in early 2011.”

Vodafone has also been working closely with Parents Inc. to develop a nationwide programme for New Zealand Secondary School students around technology which will be presented as part of their Attitude programme.

Connected aims to educate young New Zealanders on how to use technology in a way that’s healthy and positive.

Parents Inc. CEO, Bruce Pilbrow, says “Technology is an absolutely fantastic thing, if used properly. We believe that when you provide kids with the necessary education around technology, they can use it to learn, play and explore in a way that’s very healthy and beneficial.”

The Connected programme will be presented in 89% of high schools from early 2011. It offers young Kiwis hot tips on how to stay safe when building relationships online and how to handle TXT/cyber bullying.
 
For more information please visit www.vodafone.co.nz/blacklist