[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               CONTROL OF CONSUMER'S PERSONAL INFORMATION

                                 ______


                           HON. DEAN A. GALLO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Mr. GALLO. Mr. Speaker, in today's high-technology society, it has 
become increasingly important to take steps to protect an individual's 
basic right of privacy. That is why I am introducing two bills today 
which I believe are very important to protecting that basic right.
  I am concerned when information like a person's address, telephone 
number, or what hotel they prefer to stay in, is available at the touch 
of a button and can be sold at next to nothing.
  Consumers have a right to know that when they sign a guest book at a 
hotel, or apply for a credit card, or order from a catalog that the 
information they provide is going to be compiled and sold to any 
company that has a few dollars to pay for it.
  That is why I am introducing legislation which would require any 
company or organization that participates in the sale of lists to 
provide notification to the consumer that their name, address, phone 
number, or any other personal information is going to be put on a list 
for sale. My legislation also provides the consumer the option of 
asking that their name be removed from any list made available for 
sale.
  In addition, a person's Social Security number is the one means of 
identification that remains with them for their entire life. Names, 
addresses, and phone numbers all change. A Social Security number does 
not. That is why I am also introducing a bill to preserve the privacy 
of a person's Social Security number.
  Social Security numbers are used by the Social Security 
Administration to keep track of all the Social Security taxes a 
person's ever paid. Even though the Social Security Administration and 
other Federal agencies maintain tight confidentiality of a Social 
Security number and other personal information, there are several ways 
that businesses can obtain such information.
  Many State agencies, colleges and universities, private businesses, 
and other private organizations require or request individuals to 
reveal their Social Security numbers in order for them to obtain the 
desired services. Once such a State or private organization obtains 
these numbers, it can, and frequently does, sell or give away this 
private information. There is very little protection in Federal law 
against this practice.
  For this reason, I have introduced legislation that will halt this 
practice by governing the transfer of this information by a third 
party, prohibit the buying or selling of Social Security numbers, and 
extend the strict penalties under the Social Security Act to private 
companies.
  I urge my colleagues' support of these important bills.

                          ____________________