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 EPIC FOIA Notes

EPIC FOIA Notes #2
March 24, 2005

CHOICEPOINT'S NO-PRIVACY DEAL WITH THE FBI

SNAPSHOT [click for full document: Part A | Part B | Part C]

THE DISCLOSURE
Formerly secret documents obtained by EPIC from the FBI reveal Choicepoint's proposed "Partnership for the New Millennium." The file includes a survey Choicepoint prepared on an extraordinary range of data sources, including e-mail registration, employment and drug screening reports, driving records, professional licensing, SSNs, phone records, and calling card data. One memo discussed the availability of information on Europeans, Latin Americans, Asians, and Africans.

THE ISSUE
Choicepoint's sale of personal information to the FBI.

THE BACKGROUND
The Privacy Act of 1974 prevented federal agencies, including the FBI, from creating secret profiles on American citizens. According to the law, agencies need a valid purpose to collect information. Government agencies must also ensure fairness, accuracy, and openness. But commercial data brokers, such as Choicepoint, are now selling personal data to the government that sidesteps these requirements.

THE SIGNIFICANCE
Law enforcement agencies are exploiting a loophole in federal privacy law. The documents obtained by EPIC make clear the need to fix the Privacy Act. When the private sector collects personal information for the government, Privacy Act safeguards should apply.

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