Fergie's Tech Blog

Data Bokers and Buyers Anger Congress

Amanda Beck writes for Reuters:

Almost every piece of personal information that Americans try to keep secret -- including bank account statements, e-mail messages and telephone records -- is semi-public and available for sale.

That was the lesson Congress learned over the last week during a series of hearings aimed at exposing peddlers of personal data, from whom banks, car dealers, jealous lovers and even some law enforcement officers have covertly purchased information to use as they wish.

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee members also hoped the hearings would free up two measures to outlaw the practice that were mysteriously pulled from the House floor last month, apparently due to concerns in the U.S. intelligence community.

posted by Fergie @ 6/25/2006 02:01:00 PM