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In one of the most serious data breaches in U.S. history, the credit records of more than 140 million consumers, maintained by Equifax, have been compromised. Credit reports typically include social security numbers, drivers license infomation, and other personal data that make possible identity theft and financial fraud. Senator Warner said the breach, “represents a real threat to the economic security of Americans." For years, EPIC has urged Congress to strengthen privacy laws and to require Privacy Enhancing Techniques that minimize or eliminate the collection of personal data. In 2011, EPIC testified before the House and the Senate on the specific risk of data breaches in the financial services sector. Equifax has set up www.equifaxsecurity2017.com to help consumers. But last year EPIC created www.dataprotection2016.org to promote the adoption of stronger privacy safeguards in the U.S.
EPIC has filed a letter brief in a video privacy case concerning ESPN’s collection of viewer data. The court in Eichenberger v. ESPN, Inc. is trying to determine whether consumers can bring lawsuits based on a violation of federal privacy law after the Supreme Court’s decision in Spokeo v. Robins, a case about “standing” to sue. EPIC filed a brief in support of Eichenberger, arguing that "the history and judgement of Congress leaves little doubt that Congress believed a violation of the Act would be a concrete injury." EPIC also explained "a court is not empowered to override congressional judgments as to which injuries should be legally protected.” EPIC testified before the Senate about the history and purpose of the Video Privacy Protection Act. EPIC has also filed several amicus briefs on standing to sue in consumer privacy cases.
This page contains all entries posted to epic.org in September 2017. They are listed from oldest to newest.
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