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Document Disposal Law Kicks In

Posted by Zonk on from the shred-it-burn-it-lock-it-in-a-can dept.

dougrun wrote to link to a story on MSNBC regarding a new federal law requiring individuals who handle other people's personal information to dispose of the data properly. From the article: "Recycling the paperwork isn't good enough -- it must be destroyed, the rule says, rendered useless to anyone who might stumble upon it. The FTC can sue and obtain fines of up to $2,500 for each instance of neglect."

5 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. What about online electronic records? by Hulkster · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I've read several articles about this legislation, but there is very little information about electronic records. I see a a brief mention about "discarding a computer's hard drive" ... but what about online record keeping? I gotta believe there is a cottage industry that provides web access for folks to track their hired help - who is liable if that becomes public? And what happens if someone hacks into your computer?

    A cute McDonald French Fry

    1. Re:What about online electronic records? by treff89 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      As inferred above, I put forward the notion that this law is powerless. Not only are things such as computers not thoroughly covered (leaving numerous loopholes for defence in a court of law), but the government has exempted themselves. Clearly, they therefore do not take this seriously, and this law is all about people coming home, thinking "Look at the good the government is doing for my privacy!" and nothing about actually making a difference. (Footnote: No party based comment, I live in Australia.) (FN2: IANAL.)

  2. define "destroyed" by tfoss · · Score: 3, Interesting
    It's pretty clear that even cross-cut shredders won't do the job. There are commerical ventures that charge by the volume of shredded paper for document reconstruction. Scan all the pieces (strip, cross-cut or confetti) and let imaging software piece them together. The slow step is taping the shreds to white paper for scanning. Seems that incineration, some beefy acid, or some kind of serious ink solvent would be needed to comply.

    -Ted

    --
    -=-=- Quantum physics - the dreams stuff are made of.
  3. Um... what about Enron type stuff? by Capt'n+Hector · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So you are required to destroy documents unless you knowingly do so when there's about to be a federal investigation that will require those documents, in which case you can be sent to prison for destroying them? Sounds like a good reason not to use paper at all...

    --
    Quid festinatio swallonis est aetherfuga inonusti?
    Africus aut Europaeus?
  4. Re:2500 isn't much by pcmanjon · · Score: 3, Interesting

    " $2500 doesn't seem to be a very harsh punishment for my personal data being compromised when the FCC can fine companies $11000 per do not call violation."

    The government isn't concerned with fortune 500's disposal of information, but the mom and pop shops more than anything else. I was able to see the meeting on TV and thats what they said.

    They actually brought the donotcall bill up, and they said thats because fortune 500's make calls to homes more than mom and pops. -Shrugs-