The Energy and Commerce Committee is issuing subpoenas to a dozen companies that sell confidential consumer phone data online after they refused to comply with the U.S. House of Representatives’ request for information. The committee approved legislation that would outlaw the sale of phone records in March.
This legislation is awaiting final approval by the full House of Representatives, along with a second bill that was approved by the House Judiciary Committee.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to many of these sites two months ago asking them to provide information about how they get their information, and details about their business, of their own accord.
The House letter said, “It is very disconcerting that certain online data broker companies are exploiting consumers’ personal records and selling the information to whomever pays for the records.” It goes on to indicate that they find it unethical, and that the only justifiable reason for marketing this data would be providing the information to law enforcement authorities.
This issue was brought to light by the Electronic Privacy Information Center last summer when they told the FCC that confidential phone records were easily accessible for sale online.
Phone companies are saying that they are being tricked into giving out information by people who pretext, (or taking on the identity of an actual customer).
The awaiting legislation would make it a clear violation to obtain or sell phone information under false posturing, and would also give the Federal Trade Commission more power to hunt down pretexters.
Despite all of this, sites are continuing the practice of selling confidential phone information and other pieces of personal data for as little as $100.
Source:
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/
article.php/3597566
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