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The Ethics Of Data Brokers

Posted by Zonk on from the don't-tread-on-me dept.

c0d3h4x0r writes "MSNBC's Bob Sullivan asks, Whatever happened to the ChoicePoint bill? and raises some good points: 'Few experts believe that there was a sudden lack of computer security this year. Rather, there was a sudden bout of truth, thanks to California state law. [...] But in other ways, all the legislation misses the point. The ChoicePoint data leak story was not really about identity theft. It was about this: "Who the hell is ChoicePoint, and why is it making money selling my personal information?"' This makes me wonder what the Slashdot crowd thinks: should anyone be able to sell information about you at all? The general public seems to think not, while our elected officials seem to think it's just fine. How does the information gathered and sold by data brokers differ from the information collected and sold by a private investigator, or is there even a real difference?"

3 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. someone has to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    someone has to collect and distribute this stuff for things like background checks. are we suggesting the govt should do it instead of the private sector?

  2. Sue the bastards and shut them down by rimcrazy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    These bastards almost shut down the sale of my home due to incorrect info in their database and then they want me to pay to correct it. If I had my way they should require me to approve who they want to sell my info to before a sale goes through and then I deserve a cut of every sale.

    --
    "TV, a medium as it is neither rare nor well done." Ernie Kovacs
  3. Is there another choice? by JimJinkins · · Score: 5, Insightful

    In a small town information brokering is not a feasible business, but personal information is shared. Examples:

    "He pays his bills on time."

    "He pays his bills, but usually late."

    He is a good plumber, but he will not answer a call during deer season."

    "He is a good guy and a lousy electrician."

    In an urban society, reputations established by gossip is not available. But reputation is still necessary for people to do business with each other.

    Whether information is collected and sold by a business or collected by a government and sold for money or taxes is another issue. The information has to come from someone.

    Whoever provides the information will screw it up at least part of the time.

    Note: There are also disadvantages to the small town model. Consider prejudice and spite.