Choice Point Changes its tune: it wont sell our data
Date: Tue, 07/05/2005 - 18:08
Remember Choicepoint? The company that had a security breach that affected 145,000 Americans.
This crime resulted in 750 cases of identity theft. Amid legislative and public pressure, the company said that it completed an overhaul of its system so that this sort of breach would not occur again.
Choice Point has restricted its policy for selling consumer data. ChoicePoint said it would no longer sell data to private investigators, debt collectors, or businesses such as check-cashing outfits, unless they are associated with an accredited bank.
In addition, Choicepoint will hide sensitive consumer information (such as a social security number) in its reports.
However, the company will still be in the business of selling data. It has identified 3 situations in which data selling would be allowed: to support consumer-driven transactions such as those with insurers or employers, or to provide consumers access to their own data; to provide authentication or fraud-prevention tools; and to assist justice agencies.
This crime resulted in 750 cases of identity theft. Amid legislative and public pressure, the company said that it completed an overhaul of its system so that this sort of breach would not occur again.
Choice Point has restricted its policy for selling consumer data. ChoicePoint said it would no longer sell data to private investigators, debt collectors, or businesses such as check-cashing outfits, unless they are associated with an accredited bank.
In addition, Choicepoint will hide sensitive consumer information (such as a social security number) in its reports.
However, the company will still be in the business of selling data. It has identified 3 situations in which data selling would be allowed: to support consumer-driven transactions such as those with insurers or employers, or to provide consumers access to their own data; to provide authentication or fraud-prevention tools; and to assist justice agencies.
Hi benjaminz6 Thank you for this great piece of information.
Hi benjaminz6
Thank you for this great piece of information. It will be extremely for the community members and especially to those who are not aware about this company. Thanks once again for this valuable information.
Regards
Peter