Article Abstract:
Consumers should have the ability to control the dissemination of personal information that they must provide to businesses and the government. States should consider adopting the federal Freedom of Information Act restriction on access to personal information if the information is to be used for commercial purposes. States should also implement consumer protection laws providing the public with the opportunity to opt-out of disclosure when entering into contracts. Advances in direct mail and personality profiling need to be countered with increased privacy protections.
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Article Abstract:
The US Freedom of Information Act needs to be revised through the passage of the proposed Electronic Freedom of Information Improvement Act to promote access to government records via current technology. Many government agencies store requested documents in electronic form but are not required to make their records available in this form, making document requests more costly and time-consuming. The amendments would promote electronic access, require compliance information reporting and reduce barriers to government accountability.
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Article Abstract:
The universal use of individuals' social security number as a personal identifier and to track personal records decreases and seriously impinges upon personal privacy and should be limited by legislation restricting the number's usage. Canada has enacted such legislation and has accepted the monetary burden from this action in favor of protecting personal privacy. People who refuse to accede their privacy to the usage of their social security number find themselves economically isolated.
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