Background-Check Software Goes Retail

Makarand writes "According to this article in the Mercury News, ChoicePoint Inc., one of the nation's largest vendors of personal, financial and legal data is attempting to mass market a background-check software tool-kit which can be used to tap into ChoicePoint's online databases. Choicepoint requires that you have a business license to run a small business to use this software. However, as users of these services are rarely audited or asked to produce their business license, the purchaser can potentially conduct criminal background checks, Social Security number identification and other checks on anyone for a small fee. Privacy advocates are cautioning that making background-check software a consumer product could easily put personal information into the wrong hands."

Comments

Personal information...

[Mori Chu]

I shudder to think that my personal information might be getting into the wrong hands without proper permission.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I was just interacting with my pal, Bonzi Buddy...

Oh no...

[holizz]

I hope no-one realises this is a comb-over!

Strong Safeguards

[wolfdvh]

ChoicePoint, though, says it has built strong safeguards into its system to avoid privacy breaches. But they are not absolute.

For starters, there's the sticker that seals the top of the box. `Business License Required,' it reads.

Whew, I feel sooo much better, I was thinking just anybody could get their package....sigh!

Mmm, background checks!

[Dark Lord Seth]

Mmm, makes me wish I was the coder...

Connecting to checkpoint database server nr 6...
Connection established, authenticating...
Authenticated as business645, system up and running.
*** Idle.
> Received request for background check for business645
> Target: dls2978-AF643-6177-NL
*** Looking up target information
*** Credit card information: ... N/A
*** Financial information: ....... Within parameters.
*** Previous conduct information: ............ Within parameters.
*** Personal information: ........ FAIL
*** SYSTEM FAILURE, error code -1
*** ILLEGAL INSTRUCTION at "ALL_YOUR_BASE_ARE_BELONG_TO_SETH.cpp"
*** Attempting to recover: ... FAIL
*** Personal information: ......... Received.
*** Return data, omit from log.
< Target: dls2978-AF643-6177-NL
< Financial information: Makes Scrooge McDuck cry.
< Previous conduct information: Known to incite communist revolts in retail stores.
< Personal information:
< Name: ... FAIL
< RECOMMENDATION: Charge $name nothing for any purchases, allow $name to have sex with any female employee at will, worship $name like the one true god.
< UNKNOWN FIELD: How's my coding? Call 0-800-GETLOST! Love from Seth.
*** Connection reset by peer.

Re:Business License

[Aliencow]

Well I hate to break it to him, but he's been misunderstanding "in other words" for all his life..

Background checks for users of this software

[UpLateDrinkingCoffee]

Users of this software should have to pass a background check before they can use it. See how they like it. Having a business license doesn't prove anything as in most areas anyone that pays the fee can get one.

Re:This is a Good Thing

[Anonymous Coward]

Except all the spammers would be recognized as such and (hopefully) executed shortly thereafter.

Re:Worse then you can imagine

[Anonymous Coward]

"Some even do ongoing investigations, and know who your friends are..."

So I guess slashdotters are immune from this sort of investigation.

My idea from the title

[ocie]

Gamer: One copy of bloodkiller IV
Clerk: Sorry, we have to run a background check and there is a three day waiting period
Gamer: Well what can I get now?
Clerk: Fuzzy Bunnies III The cutening or the gold cart simulator.
Gamer: Nuts