State Cannot Force Removal of SSNs From Privacy Advocate's Site

jvatcw brings us a story about Betty Ostergren, who operates a website dedicated to pointing out the social security numbers visible in public records. The purpose of the site is to raise awareness of privacy concerns regarding the personal information shared in Virginia's governmental websites. Legislation was introduced in Virginia to combat Ostergren's website, but last Friday a judge shot down the attempt to censor her, writing, "It is difficult to imagine a more archetypal instance of the press informing the public of government operations through government records than Ostergren's posting of public records to demonstrate the lack of care being taken by government to protect the private information of individuals."

Comments

They already do allow that for free

[bigtallmofo]

Can the states force the credit reporting agencies to allow citizens to lock their credit reports?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+to+freeze+credit+report

This is already available, and it's free. Just like opting out of marketing offers.

Re:How about something better?

[rgviza]

>After all, why should *I* pay for the fact that some bank lends money to someone who says it's me ?

You don't.
You will get a collection call.
At that point, you can ask them to fax you a copy of the signature they have, where you agreed to the credit contract.

They won't have it. Then you call the bureaus, and request your free copy of the report. When you get it, call back and talk to someone on the phone. They'll take it right off your report.

It took me less than an hour each of the 3x that Household Bank got ripped off by someone using my info. Never paid a single penny...

-Viz