Abstract: Methods and devices for protecting telephone privacy are provided. Privacy is provided by altering the pitch of a person's voice, recording the call, changing caller ID information, routing a call straight to voicemail, playing background sounds during the call, call forwarding, and messaging. The various privacy mechanisms can be performed alone, or in combination with certain triggers, such as receiving a call from a certain number, dialing a call to a certain number, transmitting caller ID information with a certain number, or contacting a certain dial-in number of a call handling system.

Abstract: Methods for protecting telephone privacy are provided that utilize the phone number of the other party to a telephone call to automatically determine whether privacy protection is necessary and to automatically take measures to protect the user's privacy. Particular versions, such as an app for a smart phone that performs the methods, are also provided.