A new 60-second radio ad airing in southern California is using fear tactics in an attempt to stop voters from signing ballot measure petitions. The ad purports that giving your name and address to petition campaigners amounts to an “identity theft starter kit.”
“The threat claimed in these ads is totally false. Social Security numbers are the keys to identity theft. And obviously those are not collected by petition gatherers,” states Beth Givens, director of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
There has been much talk on internet privacy, collection and sale of user data, etc. But what about the collection, use and sale of a user’s location. Many applications provide warnings on download that the application may collect your location among other personal information, but we say OK, and download the app anyway. Is this a self inflicted wound or an abuse of our privacy? Can or should the wireless industry self regulate? Are we free to share our location or do we need help from Big Brother to protect us?
Federal Communications Commission
Location Based Services (LBS)
WT Docket No. 11-84
Comments of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
July 8, 2011
Note: These comments are posted on the FCC website here: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6016827478
Introduction
22.4 Million Sensitive Records Breached So Far this Year
Was Yours among Them?
Have you been hearing the term “data breach” in the news a lot recently? That’s because there has been a string of sensational breaches from corporate giants like Sony, Epsilon, Citigroup, and Lockheed Martin. A data breach is when a company inadvertently leaks your personal information as a result of a hack attack, lost or stolen computers, fraud, insider theft, and more.
Tracking the Breaches
For thousands of families across America, summer vacation is right around the corner. And thieves know it. According to the FBI, crime rates rise about 10% during summer months. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) urges you to stay safe by following these six privacy tips:
Comments of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
Debt Collection 2.0
Project No. P114802
Submitted May 27, 2011
1. Introduction
2. Information Technology -- Finding the Right Person
3. Communications Technology – Contacting the Right Person
4. Debt Verification and the Resale Market
5. FDCPA Enforcement
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
Comments of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Department of Education
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RIN 1880-AA86
Submitted May 23, 2011
I. Background
II. General Statements
III. Response to Proposed Amendments
IV. Conclusion
Federal Communications Commission
Rules and Regulations Implementing the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009
WC Docket No. 11-39
Comments of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
May 3, 2011
I. Background
II. General Statements
III. Responses to Specific Inquiries
IV. Conclusion
In the Matter of Google Inc.
File No. 102 3136
Comments of Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Submitted May 2, 2011
The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) respectfully submits the following comments to the Federal Trade Commission (Commission) regarding the proposed consent order between Google and the FTC In the matter of Google Inc., File No. 1023136. [1]
Today is Tax Day, the last day to file your federal income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You’ve spent the last several weeks collecting sensitive financial documents and now you’re probably wondering what to do with them. Financial documents may contain information, such as your Social Security number, that you should keep private in order to prevent identity theft. Therefore, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has compiled a guide on document retention and destruction tips to help protect your privacy.