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.
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.
. 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 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
. We need to do better, folks! Let's get behind this report and push for real change #PublicServantSafety #PrivacyForAll
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 
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 
this report is like, so needed 
its so sad when ppl think its ok 2 target those who protect us its like they forget dat every1 deserves respect & safety 
we should b pushin 4 better laws 2 protect public servants & all individuals from online threats 
The idea that public servants' private info is being sold online and used to threaten them is, like, totally insane 
. 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 
.
. This is just not right 
. 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? 
this is so worrying 
? We need some serious laws to keep those data brokers in check 
. 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 
so yeah, i'm all 4 comprehensive state-level consumer privacy laws ASAP 
... 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! 
. 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 
