Data brokers selling lists of rape victims, AIDS patients

[unhappycamper]

http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/18/pf/data-broker-lists/index.html?hpt=hp_t3



Data brokers selling lists of rape victims, AIDS patients
By Melanie Hicken
December 19, 2013: 12:38 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)
Consumer data companies are selling lists of rape victims, seniors with dementia and even those suffering from HIV and AIDS to marketers, underscoring the need for tighter government regulations, a privacy group told Congress Wednesday.

The World Privacy Forum uncovered these lists, along with several others, while investigating how data brokers collect and sell consumer information. Marketers buy this data so they can target shoppers based on everything from their income to clothing size.

Other lists the nonprofit found included the home addresses of police officers, a mailing list for domestic violence shelters (which are typically kept secret by law) and a list of people with addictive behaviors towards drug and alcohol.

The mere existence of these lists highlights the need for increased government regulations, said World Privacy Forum executive director Pam Dixon.

[grilled onions]

1. It's An Outrage

No reason exists in the world for such lists to be bartered or sold to the highest bidder. People who are victim to rape,dementia or HIV/AIDS should not be looked upon as a target for those who push their goods down the pike. The very idea to "cash in" on victims is sick to say nothing of the fact that if you have been a victim of rape the last thing you need is companies trying to get you to shop! You will need help,understanding--not 15% off your next order! Those with dementia may not even understand they have zero dollars in their account yet are tempted by the glossy pictures meant to tempt the weak shopper. The HIV/AIDS is another group with so many problems--the last thing they want to do is power shop!
I would like to know IF these companies know the exact group they are harvesting names/sizes/ages from? If they do then they are already sicker then the cess pool already has become.

[Ilsa]

2. your reply nails it.

This sickens me. Capitalism run amok.

Another betrayal: reporters mentioning specific block of X St where a single woman, living alone, was raped. If they say "6200 block", it may only include six houses. Makes it easy for others, even outside the neighborhood to figure out. Instead, at most, they should only list the street name or subdivision. Nothing more specific is necessary.

[libodem]

3. WTF?