If you're using a recruitment firm, that's fair game although I'm glad the one I've used from time to time asked me to do it myself and not try to be sneaky about what they are doing on the backend. It makes the whole dealings with them way more comfortable that they are upfront about everything they are doing on my and their behalf. From what I understand this is not exactly standard practice with a lot of these firms.

I've had the same thing asked of me when I submit a resume in PDF format. I always happily reply that I can generate a new PDF with the requested contact information removed. If they're not amicable to that, then we have no chance of working together.

Or worse.