FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Litigation Assistance Work--P974806
July 11, 1997 Mr. Robert Pitofsky, Chairman, FAX: 202) 326-2396 RE: Support of Self Regulation Dear Mr. Chairman: In response to the Commission’s request for additional comments following the hearings held June 19, 1997, I as a Licensed Private Investigator and owner of an Investigations Company, am a regular user of public, and non-public records services, and support the proposition of self regulation. The data we regularly access and use in our reports to clients has a beneficial use and need in society. It is important that a free, flow of information be available to support commerce and our judicial system. It also allows the public, who does not have the resources to manage all of the problems they are faced with, to defend itself without looking to government for help. Further, regulation would create additional barriers that today save lives, prevent fraud and bring families together. We are required to keep the information confidential and maintain a high degree of accuracy in our reports due to law and the test of the courts and marketplace. To have the targets of our investigations able to browse around in our inquiries and data, or opt out of databases that are private and public would be the death of our Investigative industry and freedom. The prevention of wrongdoing and protection of fraud are real tests of the use of data. Privacy protection can be managed through out industry's self-regulation of uses and distribution. Our industry has stated a willingness and desire to self regulate. This industry must have the opportunity to self regulate and welcomes the government’s help in enforcing the rules, through our efforts and the industry’s associations. I ask that you support self regulation and work with the industry to successfully bring about policies and procedures that we can all live with in a free society.
cc:Congresswoman Kay Granger |