Re: Philosophy of information ownership

[Alan Olsen <alano@teleport.com>]

At 12:38 PM 5/28/96 -0700, Bruce Baugh wrote:

>A separate problem arises when the government compels the disclosure of
>information for one purpose - getting a driver's license, say - and then
>turns around and sells it to others. It's much harder to either negotiate a
>new contract or go to a competitor when the other party is a government.

This is a problem in Oregon.  The database of drivers licences and
registered automobiles is sold openly by the state.  (You can also order a
copy on CD-ROM from a company based in Oregon as well...)  As far as I know,
there is no way to opt out of having your name sold to marketing firms.
These records are routinely purchaced by mail order houses for resale to
clients all over the country.  The cost is pretty minimal (under $200) and
you have to provide the media (usually two 9-track tapes).  The database
includes current address, vehicle licence number and the type of car that
you own (among other things).

The only way to not be on the list is to not have ID.  Not viable in todays
society.
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