I'd love it if my cell phone auto-screened calls from numbers not in my address book. Give them a special message that explains the only way they'll get through is to leave a message.
Or that they can register their number in a public registry that fully explains who they are and then I can decide whether to take calls from that number.
I never answer calls, ever. My voicemail suggests sending me an email. If the caller doesn't, it's like it never happened. The only reason I even have a SIM card is for data/tethering.
You can sort of do it with an iPhone. Put it on Do Not Disturb except for your contacts. But that will block alerts in addition to calls. I do use that setting at night when I'm traveling. Otherwise I end up sometimes getting junk calls in the middle of the night because of timezone differences.
We also could probably use a system of codes to communicate with automated calling systems so they give up quicker or are able to negotiate a fee they can pay to talk with you. Or leave a text message if you're open to that.
> I'd love it if my cell phone auto-screened calls from numbers not in my address book. Give them a special message that explains the only way they'll get through is to leave a message.
This feature existed (still exists?) for land lines as far back as 2000. It was an add-on service offered by MCI when they started to sell local service in NY and a few other markets. I imagine that it was probably available beyond MCI, but this is speculation.
Or that they can register their number in a public registry that fully explains who they are and then I can decide whether to take calls from that number.