How Data Brokers Can Fuel Violence Against Public Servants

Data Brokers' Pipeline Fueling Violence Against Public Servants Lacking Effective Privacy Protections

A new report by the Security Project at the Public Service Alliance has found that the lack of comprehensive state-level consumer privacy laws leaves public servants vulnerable to data-to-violence pipelines. The project analyzed 19 different consumer privacy laws, and only California's law provides consumers with a straightforward way to limit what information data brokers collect and sell about them.

Violent threats against public servants have been increasing over the past decade, according to an analysis by the Public Service Alliance and the Impact Project. However, these laws do not provide adequate protections for public servants, leaving them uniquely exposed to data dissemination without effective measures in place.

The report highlights how data brokers can obtain personal information about public employees from public sources such as property records or court filings. This data is then sold to third parties, who can use it to identify and stalk individuals even when they move to different states. In the past, accessing this information required physical presence at specific locations, but with the digitization of public records and their easy accessibility, threats against public servants have become more widespread.

The report advocates for legislation that would specifically address privacy concerns for all public servants. It suggests regulating the digitization of public records and how easily they can be accessed remotely, rather than completely limiting them. This approach aims to balance First Amendment rights with individual privacy while preventing the sale of personal information by data brokers.

Consumer Reports analyzed seven different data removal services in 2024 and found that only about two-thirds were successful at removing personal data from online records. The report's findings emphasize the need for lawmakers to establish effective state-level consumer privacy laws that would protect public servants' private information, preventing it from falling into the wrong hands and fueling threats against them.

Without comprehensive protections, the lack of an easy way to limit what information data brokers collect about individuals will only exacerbate the vulnerability of public servants.

I'm low-key freaking out about this report . Like, our public servants are already on the front lines serving us, and now we're putting them in harm's way with no effective protections? . It's time for lawmakers to step up and create some real change #JusticeForPSAs #PrivacyMatters #ProtectOurPublicServants

We can't just sit back and let data brokers run wild, selling our public servants' personal info like it's nothing . We need comprehensive state-level consumer privacy laws that put people over profits . It's not too much to ask for a little bit of security in return for our freedom #FreeSpeechVsPrivacy #DataProtectionMatters

I'm so tired of seeing news about public servants being stalked or threatened because some data broker got their hands on their personal info . We need to do better, folks! Let's get behind this report and push for real change #PublicServantSafety #PrivacyForAll

I'm really worried about these data brokers, tbh They're just fueling this cycle of violence against our public servants! It's crazy that only California has some decent laws in place to protect people's info The rest of us are just left vulnerable These data brokers think they can just sell our personal info like it's nothing, but the truth is, it's a recipe for disaster They're literally putting lives at risk! We need some real change, stat

omg, this is so messed up data brokers are literally putting ppl's lives at risk by selling personal info about public servants it's crazy that california's law is the only one providing some protection we need more states to step up their privacy game ASAP the fact that data can be accessed remotely makes it super easy for stalkers to find ppl even when they move to new places this report is like, so needed lawmakers gotta get on board and pass legislation that actually protects public servants' private info

its so sad when ppl think its ok 2 target those who protect us its like they forget dat every1 deserves respect & safety especially when its public servants whos just tryin 2 do thier job without gettin harassed or stalked online data brokers need 2 be held accountable 4 their role in this mess we should b pushin 4 better laws 2 protect public servants & all individuals from online threats

I'm getting a major chill down my spine just thinking about this The idea that public servants' private info is being sold online and used to threaten them is, like, totally insane We need to get our act together as a society and demand some serious protection for these folks. It's not like they're asking for much - just the ability to control who gets access to their personal data And let's be real, the fact that California has a decent law is basically just rubbing it in the rest of us

I mean, think about it - we're talking about people who are literally putting their lives on the line every day to serve our communities. They shouldn't have to worry about some data broker selling their info and using it against them It's like, come on, guys - can't we just get a handle on this data thing? We need comprehensive state-level consumer privacy laws that would actually protect public servants' private info, not just give the green light to data brokers to do whatever they want

It's time for us to take responsibility and demand better protections for our public servants. It's not too much to ask, right?

I'm like totally shocked by this news, right? These data brokers are basically creating pipelines for violence against public servants who don't have any protection, and it's just not cool . I mean, we're living in a time where our personal info is being sold online without us even knowing about it, and that's just crazy .

And what really gets me is that these laws are super lacking when it comes to protecting public servants' private info. It's like, they need some protection too . I think we should be advocating for more legislation that would regulate the digitization of public records and how easily they can be accessed remotely. That way, people wouldn't be able to stalk or harass public servants without any consequences .

It's all about finding a balance between our First Amendment rights and individual privacy, you know? We need to make sure that these data brokers are being held accountable for their actions, and that public servants have the protection they deserve . This is just not right

Data Brokers are like a never-ending nightmare for our public servants... They're just trying to do their job without getting stalked or harassed on social media . I mean, come on, if you want to know someone's address from property records, can't you just use it as is? Why do you need to sell that info and let some third party use it to ruin their life? And with California being the only state with a decent law, what about the rest of us? It's like we're just sitting ducks waiting for our personal info to be sold out from under us.

this is so worrying like how can we protect public servants when their personal info is just out there in the wild ? We need some serious laws to keep those data brokers in check and prevent them from selling people's info to who-knows-who . I mean, it's not fair that California's got this one law and other states are just kinda winging it ... we should be doing better than this

I mean, think about this... all these companies are just collecting our data for who knows what reasons, and it's not even like we have a say in what happens to that info. And now you're telling me that public servants are being targeted because of some data broker pipeline? It's crazy! They need better protection, no doubt about it... but regulating access to public records online? That sounds like a slippery slope to me... how do we balance our freedom with individual privacy?

the more i think about this, the more i'm convinced that our digital footprint is literally putting ppl's lives at risk . i mean, think about it - if a private citizen can't control what info is sold about them online, how r we supposed to protect public servants from harm? it's like we're just throwing 'em out there for the wolves to pick over . and let's be real, most ppl don't even know they're vulnerable in the first place so yeah, i'm all 4 comprehensive state-level consumer privacy laws ASAP

ugh this is so frustrating I mean think about it - we're living in a time where our personal info is being sold and shared like it's going out of style, and yet there are still laws on the books that don't even protect us from ourselves. Like, what's next? are we gonna start getting stalked by data brokers just because we use Google Maps to find our way home

and can we talk about how easy it is for them to get this info in the first place? like, I can access my own personal info with a few clicks - why can't public servants have that same level of control over their own data? it's just not right.

we need to do better here. we need laws that protect our privacy and our safety. it's time to step up our game and make sure that data brokers are held accountable for the harm they're causing

Data brokers are just getting worse , they're like the ultimate opportunists... they'll sell anyone's info for a buck and don't care who gets hurt in the process. And it's not like these laws exist to protect people - California's law is the only one that actually does anything ... but even that's not enough, we need more states to step up and create some real change. I mean, think about it, if you're a public servant, your info is basically out there for anyone to get their hands on, no matter where you live or move... it's like they're just sitting ducks . And the fact that these laws are so weak means we'll just keep seeing more and more cases of people getting harassed and even threatened because of it... it's a total mess!

They gotta do something about this, you feel? All these state-level laws are just not cutting it. And it's not like we can just rely on California to save the day . We need a national standard or even better, some kinda federal law that actually stops data brokers from selling out our info. It's time for lawmakers to step up and protect public servants. They're already putting their lives on the line every day, no need to make 'em vulnerable to cyber threats too

this is just plain crazy ! If data brokers can get hold of personal info on public servants from public records, that's like a one-stop shop for stalking and harassment . We need stronger laws to protect their privacy ASAP . I mean, who would want to threaten or harm someone they don't know personally? It's just not right, and we should be doing more to support our public servants .

This is getting outta hand . Data brokers are just another face of our digital woes, and it's crazy how they can get their hands on personal info without anyone even noticing . I mean, who knew that a simple property record or court filing could be used to stalk public servants? That's just plain creepy.

I'm all for people having some control over what information is shared about them online, but not at the expense of our public servants' safety . We need better laws in place to protect their data and prevent this kind of thing from happening . It's time for us to take responsibility for our digital footprint and demand more from lawmakers.

I've lived through some tough times myself, but I never thought I'd see the day where my own info could be used against me . Anyway, it's reassuring to know that Consumer Reports is on top of this stuff . Maybe if we all do our part, we can make a difference and create a safer online world for everyone

I'm literally freaking out thinking about this... our school's student union is trying to start a petition for better online safety for teachers and staff . I mean, can you even imagine if someone found out your parents' address from the school records online and started sending them creepy messages? It's like, totally not fair that they're left vulnerable because of data brokers who just don't care about people's personal info .

I think what I really want to see is some stricter laws about how schools handle sensitive information online. Like, shouldn't we have control over what gets shared and with whom? It's not like it's that hard to set up a system where teachers can opt-out of sharing their personal info if they don't want to... why do we need to worry about data brokers at all?

can't believe how outdated our laws are still relying on 19 states having some kinda consumer privacy law... like, that's just not enough. california's law is a good start but what about the rest? we need stronger laws to protect public servants from being stalked online because of their job. it's crazy how easy it is for data brokers to get info about ppl and sell it 2 other parties... gotta shut that pipeline ASAP