FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Investigator and Security Consultant--P974806 P.O. Box 181163
Robert Pitofsky, Chairman Via Facsimile: 202 326 2396 Dear Mr. Pitofsky: I an responding to the Commission's request for commentary concerning the hearings held June 10, 1997. I am a licensed private investigator and a security consultant who is a user of all types of information to include credit information. I am of the opinion that a self regulatory approach may be beneficial so long as the licensed investigator has access. My business is one of the most highly regulated industries in Texas. I can lose my license for violations of law which would surely include many of the privacy rights violations which so concern the public. Texas's Constitution is stronger concerning privacy rights than that of the United States of America. The problems which so concern the public have been addressed by the State of Texas by my licensure, and my required insurance such that civil remedies may be taken against me. Information Brokers and Credit Bureaus have no such constraints. I am pleased to see that they propose self regulation. Most of the very high quality providers of these types of information have already applied self restraint and do not sell private information willy nilly. Clearly, it is the minority of these information providers who are the abusers. Another approach was applied by congress to private information by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 which may work well. In this Act the congress chose to legislate such that licensed investigators had appropriate access. Thank you for taking a moment to listen to my comments. Should I be able to further inform you about the licensed investigators working in Texas, I would welcome our call.
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