Forum IIIB Group 7Open Access to Personal

Information

Introduction- Steve Ayers

Pros- Michelle Peterson

Cons- Christie Christman

Conclusion- Audrey Clausen

Introduction

Steve Ayers

Steve Ayers

Every computer should come with a label that reads:

WARNING!

USE OF THIS DEVISE CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF PRIVACY

Steve Ayers

“With dossiers being compiled by commercial bureaus, state and local law enforcement

agencies, the CIA, the FBI, the Armed Services, and the Census Bureau, we live in an Orwellian

age in which the computer has become the heart of a surveillance system that will turn

society into a transparent world.”Supreme Court Justice

William Douglas 1974

Steve Ayers

ORWELL’s 1984

Fact or fiction

Steve Ayers

The big questionsWhere does the individual fit?Where is the real power?Is it our information?How important is personal access?How do we amend false information?What sort of technology is needed?Can control be brought to the system?Does the system offer protection and safeguards?Who’s responsible?

Steve Ayers

THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Records started with writing

In early America the church did most of the personal record keeping

The US Census

Federal Income Tax

The Social Security System

Expanding Government role in personal lives

Consumers and computers

Steve Ayers

THE DATABASE BUSINESS

550 companies

$3 Billion

Each individual is in an average of 50 databases

Steve Ayers

THE HEAVYWIEGHTSCatalina Marketing:: 30 million American’s

buying habits particularly from supermarkets

Aristotle Industries: Specializes in voter records

Donnelley Marketing Info Svcs: Operates a demographic database service on 125 million Americans

Willard Services: Database on 215 million Americans

Steve Ayers

THE CREDIT REPORTING COMAPNIES

THE REST OF THE GUYS:THE CABLE COMPANYVIDEO STORESTHE PHONE COMPANYTRAVEL AGENCIESDOCTORS OFFICESSTUDENT RECORDSETC. ETC. ETC. THE LIST GOES ON

Steve Ayers

THE LAW

THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974: Applies only to public records

FERPA: Addresses student records

CCPA: Applies to cable TV operators

ECPA: Covers electronic transmissions

VVPA: Limits video rental information

Steve Ayers

THE LAW

Drivers License Protection Act of 1994

HIPPA: The all encompassing healthcare record act

Gramm-Leach-Bailey Act: An example of a worthless law

Steve Ayers

WHERE IS ALL THIS INFORMATION GOING AND

HOW IS IT BEING USEDCREDIT CARD COMPANIESSUPERMARKETSATM CARDSPHONE CALLING CARDSMEDICAL RECORDSCREDIT REPORTING COMPANIESTHE CENSUS BUREAU

Pros

Michelle Peterson

Michelle Peterson

Data System Structure

Where information stored:One databaseSeparate databases

Who has access:IndividualsIndividuals & Authorized Entities

Michelle Peterson

Each person can access all data about themselves held by

anyone.

Michelle Peterson

Types of Records

Medical

Legal

Work history

Company

Held Data

Financial

Scholastic

Political

Michelle Peterson

Medical

Michelle Peterson

Financial

Michelle Peterson

Legal

Michelle Peterson

Why does this matter?

Michelle Peterson

Errors

Planning

Security

Michelle Peterson

Collected data is used by authorized

personnel.

Michelle Peterson

Medical Personnel

Remote Care

Emergent Care

Michelle Peterson

Financial Agencies

Credit Information

Michelle Peterson

Legal Agencies

Historical data

It is an achievable goal!

Cons

Christie Christman

Christie Christman

Free or for a Fee?

Accessing our own information

Christie Christman

Inaccurate Reports

Effects of errors

Christie Christman

Hackers & Crackers

Identity Theft

Impact of all information in one database

Malicious or False entries

Christie Christman

Are we willing to trade that much info about our identity to

one business/entity?

Do we get a say in how our info is used?

Christie Christman

Who else has access to our files?

Will our files be sold?

- Direct marketing

Who will maintain the system?

Conclusion:Consumer Privacy vs. Legitimate Duties

Audrey Clausen

Audrey Clausen

Consumer Privacy

Access to private databases

Who shares the costs?

Who owns the information?

Hackers & Crackers?

Illegitimate use of data

Audrey Clausen

Legitimate Duties

Track Federal Tax debtorsDept Collection Act

Parents Delinquent in Child SupportChild Support Enforcement Act

Foreign Counterterrorism InvestigationsChoicePoint’s Database

Audrey Clausen

Letter to Federal Trade Commission in 1996

Audrey Clausen

Is the non-consensual compilation, sale and usage of the database a violation of private citizens civil rights?

Are the databases subject to unlawful usage? Do they create an undue potential for fraud on consumers?

Audrey Clausen

Are the compilation, sale, and usage of consumers' personal data consistent with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and federal telemarketing regulations?

Are there ways consumers can prevent data-based service companies from including their personal background information in commercial data bases absent their content?

Steve Ayers, Michelle Peterson, Christie Christman, Audrey Clausen

The End