METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CALL PRIVACY ACROSS TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS

A method and an apparatus for protecting call privacy across telecommunication networks allow a calling party of a first telecommunication network to control the privacy of a telephone call to a called party of a second telecommunication network. This is achieved by selecting among a group of privacy options that represent varying degrees of privacy, assigning each of the selected privacy options to the call, and enforcing the selected privacy options within the second telecommunication network, thereby eliminating the need for external enforcement. The privacy options selected for the call limit the ability of a called party to manipulate the call. For example, the privacy options may prevent the called party from forwarding the call, transferring the call, conferencing the call, and/or listening to the call via a hands-free speaker phone. In an additional aspect of the invention, selected privacy options, such as preventing call transferring, preventing call conferencing, and preventing voice data from being listened to via a hands-free speaker, are transferred to any voicemail messages that are generated as a result of the call made by the calling party.