WASHINGTON, DC – The FTC (the Federal Trade Commission) has launched a private investigation after finding that more than 100 companies may have sloppy security, leading to private information about employees and customers making its way to peer-to-peer data sharing networks. The FTC has already sent letters to 100 companies about possible security issues which lead to the data leaks. The agency discovered health records, driver’s license information, Social Security numbers, and other personal data on public networks, leading the FTC to warn companies about reviewing their security practices. The companies may be violating FTC laws in having lax security.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – The European Union (EU) has implemented new data sharing terms. A report suggests that the new arrangements may allow foreign officials to access motorists’ data, and some are concerned that this data can be misused. The EU has suggested that sharing the data can help stop crime, but a National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) report suggests that the information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) will not be controlled. Member states will be able to access a number of facts through DVLA data about individual motorists, including medical information, driving violations, addresses, names and more. Some are concerned that the new data sharing will mean a further erosion of privacy and a step closer to a surveillance state.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the recent launch of two new online babysitting services, screening sitter’s credentials has become crucial. Online services promise comprehensive background checks of all potential babysitters as well as online scheduling of babysitting services. The idea is that the services offer added security and convenience by allowing parents to learn about potential sitters and have caregivers screened professionally. At the same time, many parents enjoy the convenience of booking caregiver time online. Some online sitting services hire PI companies to run background checks while other sites check public records and social networking sites to ensure that caregivers are safe.

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ARLINGTON, TX – In three weeks, the Texas legislative session will close. Meanwhile, a debate about a contentious issue is heating up. Some experts want to see public records from the state inaccessible to the public and to PIs. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators has stated that there are 100 bills that are related in some way to how public records and government information is handled. PIs note that each such bill can affect the way their business is conducted. Some privacy groups are worried that current laws about public records could mean loss of privacy. PIs and media outlets note that public information and records are key to their industries.
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CHICAGO, IL - Jeff Metcalf’s company, Record Information Services, offers a database of public records and information gleaned from public records. The database website, public-record.com, has a WatchIllinois section, which allows users to be updated when a specific target’s public records are altered. For example, a company keeping track of a competitor can be alerted when that competitor filed bankruptcy. A PI investigating a target can be informed if a target gets a DUI charge or is suddenly arrested.
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OMAHA, NE - Kimball authorities want a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling overturned. That ruling allowed findings of PIs in an investigation to be made public. The case stems from allegations made by local businesses that police officer Sharon Lewis and others were racially profiling and targeting Hispanic residents for arrest. Mayor Greg Robinson launched an investigation and an attorney he contacted in the case hired two PIs. Lewis was terminated from her job and sued some of the business leaders as well as the city. Attorneys for the business leaders asked for the PI report for the case. Kimball County District Judge Kristine Cecava claimed that the documents prepared by the PIs are public records and asked for the documents to be released.
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PHOENIX, AZ - Although officials have announced that personal information will be withheld on police reports in Phoenix to prevent possible identity theft, it seems that city employees are still adjusting to the new routine. Clerks still released Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates and other personal information on reports. PIs have voiced worries that suppressing personal information on records could create problems in their profession as PIs rely on public records for information. Despite these concerns, the state has gone ahead with plans to limit public access to some forms of information available in court records.
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From the creators of PInow.com and ServeNow.com, Public Records Wire is an open system for cataloging, sharing and discovering new public records databases. Public Records Wire is a publicly available resource for private investigators, process servers, legal professionals and anyone interested in public records. The databases here are user-contributed, so you won’t find every database you are looking for here…yet! It’s up to you, as part of the Public Records Wire community, to add the databases that help you do your job on a daily basis.

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