Data Brokers Can Fuel Violence Against Public Servants

14 hours ago

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Violent threats against public servants in the US are increasing, but state-level consumer privacy laws fail to protect them adequately.
Current privacy laws do not allow public servants to legally compel state agencies to redact their personal data from public records.
Data brokers can still sell personal information, including home addresses, obtained from public sources like property records or court filings.
A 2024 report found that women and Democrats report more severe abuse since taking public office compared to men and Republicans.
A case in Minnesota involved an assassination attempt on a state representative, highlighting the dangers of easily accessible personal data.
The report suggests legislation to address privacy concerns for public servants, balancing First Amendment rights with privacy needs.
California is the only state offering a free, mass opt-out service for data brokers, while other states require manual requests or paid services.
Data brokers have been found hiding removal instructions, and paid data removal services are only partially effective.

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