Hotmail Addresses Public Domain

The Associated Press reports today that Hotmail users are at risk for receiving spam if they fail to see the "opt out" checkbox during Hotmail registration. According to the report users are automatically added to the Infospace Internet White Pages directory. Microsoft representatives told the AP reporter that users clearly have the chance to uncheck the box, so it is not a breach of privacy. What do you think? Since there is the opt out checkbox it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but because it is Microsoft related all hell should break loose right?