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In a Highly Unusual Move, FTC Confirms It Is Investigating Equifax (reuters.com)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday confirmed it is investigating Equifax's handling of a data breach affecting 143m Americans. "The FTC typically does not comment on ongoing investigations. However, in light of the intense public interest and the potential impact of this matter, I can confirm that FTC staff is investigating the Equifax data breach," said Peter Kaplan, the commission's acting director of public affairs. Washington Post reporter tweeted: "To put a finer point on it, this is really, really unusual -- the FTC hardly ever says anything about ongoing probes."
Slap on the wrist, formal apology issued, dinner and drinks at the White House with the executives of the company so that they can swear fealty, and back to #MAGA. Next problem? This is easy.
I support the death penalty. So much, in fact, that I want to see Equifax executed - in this case, by having its corporate charter revoked. They're not "too big to fail". They're not providing a valuable product to our economy. They're not America's Last Great Hope at manufacturing or anything like that. They're a rent-seeking parasite on the economy who obviously can never again be trusty with the weaponizable data they collect on everyone who lives here. Cut off its head - sacrifice it on the altar of accountability and justice - and call it done.
And as we'd lock up a street-level criminal until their trial, Equifax should be imprisoned by having its bank accounts and stock trades frozen immediately. Sure, that means it can't pay its CEO. Yes, it means its employees will break up with it in favor of more upstanding members of society. Yeah, it means it won't be able to pay rent and will probably get evicted. If all that's good enough for Joe Accused Weed Dealer, it's good enough for Equifax Accused Stalker.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
Saw this on Monster this morning:
EQUIFAX (Atlanta GA) is seeking a talented and highly motivated software engineer and security expert to manage the fallout of our recent security breach. Duties will include analyzing failures in security systems, taking the blame for prior failures, and generally being a scapegoat for the breakdown in security that lead to our infamous breach. Contract position is expected to last approximately 3-6 months, or until the end of criminal investigations, whichever is longer. Compensation includes generous exit bonus to compensate for ruining your career.
Interested candidates must have a BS or MS in Computer Science or equivalent work experience, not that it actually matters.
Equifax needs to face SEVERE punishment for negligence. Their incompetence impacts everything from personal finance, to national security. Just think what those nasty Russian's will do with the knowledge of exactly which pesky counter intelligence officer is having credit issues.
Tinfoil hattery:
This beach was state sponsored. Over the next few weeks, American identities will be stolen en-mass, prompting nationwide credit-freeze. Consumers lose trust in the American system of credit/debt as the fraudulently borrowed moneys and goods leave the country before the freeze. People demand companies are punished, and place blame on the money lenders and banks.
People go back to spending only what they've earned. Retail feels the pinch first. Many go under in the first months. Prices rise, as available supply of goods diminishes (no longer produced on a credit-line, volume drops)
When the money stops moving around, the financial sector of the US economy withers and dies within weeks.
The 1% panic. Crisis follows.
I imagine this is what 21st century warfare looks like.
You are being ripped off every second of every day, so that advertisers can help rip you off even more tomorrow.