My guess is if it isn't already being done, these data will be harvested as they pass through the merchants network on the way to the bank. It will likely evolve much like telephone number capturing has for toll-free numbers. Originally ANI (Automatic Number Identification) provided the calling number to toll-free merchants strictly for billing purposes. That makes sense, since they are paying for the call and since once a upon a time LD charges were based not only on connect time but where the caller was. Now, however, they are able to detect it, in real-time, whether your number is blocked or not. I don't like that--which is why I'll always call the non-toll-free number on my CC card (free with the LD included on my mobile). ANI should be done away with now since toll-free charges are now solely based on connect time. I won't hold my breath--but that's a discussion for another day.

I have heard that argument many times and I don't buy it. My econ classes taught me that in an efficient market the seller will charge the highest price the market will bear. If that's the case the merchant ends up absorbing the expense because if s/he raises the price someone else will come along and sell it cheaper. Restaurants are highly elastic. In the absence of competition where there is inelasticity business will just drop off as the price point moves above the price a consumer is willing to pay--which was already defined as the highest price the market will bear.