FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Whitley Security and Investigations--P974806 WHITLEY SECURITY
& INVESTIGATIONS July 15, 1997 Secretary, Federal Trade Commission Dear Mr. Secretary; In response to the Commissions request for additional comments following the hearing held June 10, 1997, I as a private investigator, am a regular user of public and nonpublic records (such as credit headers), and I support the proposition of self regulation. The data that we regularly access and use in our reports to clients had 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 for us 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 laws which govern our licenses as private investigators. To have the target of our investigation able to browse around in our inquiries and data, or opt out of the databases that are private and public would severely cripple out industry and freedom. Privacy protection can be managed through our industries 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 the industries efforts. 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. Sincerely, Alec T. WhitleyAlec T. Whitley |