The original purpose of the Internet was to provide a cheap and efficient means for scientists to freely exchange information. As a result, as originally designed there were no obstacles built into the infrastructure to impede the free flow of ideas. The way we use the Internet today is vastly different, requiring safeguards that the original concept never envisioned. By the time this became apparent, the train, so to speak, had left the station. We now have nothing more than patches for security issues, and sadly, patches have not proven to be the ideal solution for security concerns on the Internet
1
If this serves as a chance to rethink how much data governments collect, hold, and redistribute about voters then that's great. I think many people would prefer that registering to vote didn't trigger a deluge of spam from campaigns.
But even if this event had not occurred, it is clear that anyone who truly wants the data has no problem getting it in a completely legal fashion. Elected officials want access to as much data about voters as possible to hone their campaigns. You will be unlikely to get them to vote to lock down the data.
This release merely raises awareness, but does not change anything beyond that. Your registration data has long been in the hands of those who wish you harm.
But even if this event had not occurred, it is clear that anyone who truly wants the data has no problem getting it in a completely legal fashion. Elected officials want access to as much data about voters as possible to hone their campaigns. You will be unlikely to get them to vote to lock down the data.
This release merely raises awareness, but does not change anything beyond that. Your registration data has long been in the hands of those who wish you harm.
Anyone who still believes there is any privacy on the internet is delusional. On the other hand, if you are breathing, there is something somewhere that you would rather have stayed private.
1
This is just so depressing. Maybe I should just quit voting. But data about me has been hacked so many times it probably doesn't matter what I do. At least I have freezes on all the credit bureaus. Some small measure of comfort. Maybe this is why I get so many darn political calls - but now I'm able to block all those, so at most they only get one shot at me, and after that they are blocked. I'm really disgusted with ALL the political campaigns.
3
This is just the tip of the iceberg. An article in the New York Times today reports that Ted Cruz raised $20,000,000 in the last quarter of 2015. His ratings haven't gone up. Those with the most money are the biggest thieves. So where did he steal it? From facebook, of course - using supposed confidential facebook user's information. Anyone who says it's too late for internet privacy laws is dead wrong because the vast majority of Americans will not stand for this anymore. And anyone who votes for TC is almost as crazy as he is.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/11/senator-ted-cruz-presiden...
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/11/senator-ted-cruz-presiden...
3
NationBuilder, a nonpartisan political data firm, has said it may have been the source of some of the data, although the actual database that was released was not the company’s.
Private company with personal information combined with voting history? Really?
Note to NYTs: Please tell us more about NationBuilder... And how they stock their database with supposedly private information.
Private company with personal information combined with voting history? Really?
Note to NYTs: Please tell us more about NationBuilder... And how they stock their database with supposedly private information.
6
The information is provided by the Secretary of State for each state. Many states have different rules. See CSO reference at http://nc3.mobi/15det/#20151228 Some states require the data can't leave the US and can't be exposed to the public. NationBuilder appears to have done nothing illegal.
The problem is the IP address where a researcher found the data (I'm not sure why the NYT reported it being "posted") was disclaimed by NB and several organizations. To access it you had to find it, then enter (essentially an opening with no door, let alone a lock) and copy the 200+GB of data.
See http://nc3.mobi/t1512 for the graphic that describes what BigData just did to us all. If we can ever find who owns that IP address can you imagine a nation on credit monitoring? Even at $10/each that is a 1.9 BILLION dollar price tag.
Jonathan
The problem is the IP address where a researcher found the data (I'm not sure why the NYT reported it being "posted") was disclaimed by NB and several organizations. To access it you had to find it, then enter (essentially an opening with no door, let alone a lock) and copy the 200+GB of data.
See http://nc3.mobi/t1512 for the graphic that describes what BigData just did to us all. If we can ever find who owns that IP address can you imagine a nation on credit monitoring? Even at $10/each that is a 1.9 BILLION dollar price tag.
Jonathan
Hacking personal information has risen to the point of becoming intolerable by society. I can only see one reasonable solution. We will need to somehow fashion two physically divisible internets. One would allow anonymous opinion and transactions of limited size and scope. Like Twitter, perhaps a two thousand character limit per message. It would also use formats and technology that didn't allow for the easy stealth transmission of malicious programs. This path still provides the world population with an anonymous voice. The "other" internet would be fashioned to require clear identification of who is online and where they are at all times. Attempts to circumvent true identification would be met with stiff penalties and enforced through relentless monitoring. This separate internet would be most used for commerce and controlling infrastructure, including the new smart devices in our homes. It's the only path I can see to still allowing anonymity while benefitting from the wonders of the net. Individuals will just need to choose which path they use for which purpose. Anonymity with risk or direct monitiring with security. Un-hackable encryption could still be used on the monitored side for message and transaction privacy, but the sender and recipient of all data packets would always be clearly identified. It's a bit daunting, but I just don't see any other solutions at hand.
3
It just sounds like a fund raiser for the states. They don't care if the information is misused, only that they make some funds from it.
2
Voters have more to worry about than hacking. like the establishment of each party. They do the manipulating, conniving, rigging of the vote. They will either inflate or suppress the vote according to their advantage. Each state's party majority has enormous clout in deciding the rules and regulations in voting. These laws are not so much designed to allow the maximum number of people to vote as much as skewing the demographics which favors their candidate and hinders their opponent's voters to cast their ballots.
Politics is a brutal game, a blood sport. It is not for the faint of heart. And we the people in the end have very little say in its outcome. Need proof? Look at the irrelevancy of Iowa. It picked winners Huckabee and Santorum. New Hampshire used to be a bellwether, not so much anymore. It picked Hillary last time. Now soothsayers tell us it's whoever finishes one, two or three. Really? One needs an expert to tell you that? The real election or primary is always the one hidden behind the party curtain. It is the ground game, the powers that control the party who gerrymander the heck out of the system who steer the public one way or the other. Sure this frustrates the voter every election cycle, thinking each time maybe something different will happen. That is the job of media manipulation, priming the viewer in anticipation of what may happen. In the end it never seems to pan out. Why do you suppose that is?
DD
Manhattan
Politics is a brutal game, a blood sport. It is not for the faint of heart. And we the people in the end have very little say in its outcome. Need proof? Look at the irrelevancy of Iowa. It picked winners Huckabee and Santorum. New Hampshire used to be a bellwether, not so much anymore. It picked Hillary last time. Now soothsayers tell us it's whoever finishes one, two or three. Really? One needs an expert to tell you that? The real election or primary is always the one hidden behind the party curtain. It is the ground game, the powers that control the party who gerrymander the heck out of the system who steer the public one way or the other. Sure this frustrates the voter every election cycle, thinking each time maybe something different will happen. That is the job of media manipulation, priming the viewer in anticipation of what may happen. In the end it never seems to pan out. Why do you suppose that is?
DD
Manhattan
2
Time to consider permanently living OFF the grid.
1
http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/10/camping-on-your-own-land-is-now-il...
Those who god is government beg to differ.
Those who god is government beg to differ.
You can off the grid, but your personal data cannot.
L’OsservatoreA - ...and of course the government is always right!
1
Colorado sells non-voting related data such as library card numbers. I believe one of the sites it can be found on is coloradovoters.com. Birthdates, party affiliation, and in at least one case (there are multiple sites like this) even drivers license numbers. Since mail ballots are required to participate in some CO elections, it's difficult (and may be illegal) to try to use anything other than one's home address, so it's nearly impossible to avoid having home addresses published. DMV employee mistakes that make it into vehicle registration information is published. I looked into the laws behind this once and learned that the only way to avoid having some of the info published (I believe the exemption is limited to home addresses) is if a person is being threatened by someone with whom they had a romantic relationship. The jurisdictions I called said the exemptions, which have more hoops than restraining orders, are rarely approved - three to five since the exemption was instituted (so about 1.5 years at the time). People should be allowed to at least opt out, if not opt in, of having such info available. Thank you, George W. Bush. You were an awesome President.
2
The writers of this article should check out self-serving claims, not just present them. For instance, the following is either a lie or unbelievable ignorance: "Big data advocates argue that what is in most voter files is nothing more than the White Pages of a phone book...."
You can have a White Pages listing without your address, you can get a listing with just an initial, and you can choose not to be listed in the White Pages at all. You can even legally have a phone under a phony name.
The thing that amazes me is that most Americans do not seem to care what happens to information about them. Sure, they complain, but they still buy the gadgets, sign up for all sorts of online things and, most significantly, do not demand that the politicians protect the people's interests instead of the corporations that profit off citizens' no-longer-existent privacy.
A question: why is it that righties get more agitated about the loss of privacy to corporations and free-lancers than lefties do? Lefties seem to get upset if the N.S.A. aggregates phone metadata but are largely happy to give truly personal info to Zuckerberg, Brin, Cook, et al.
As long as people are willing to give up their privacy and security for a bit of convenience and diversion, those who seek to profit from it will do so. The Times, too, often falls into that category, especially the never-ending free ads masquerading as tech articles in the Bits section of the paper.
The masses Google Nero, while Rome burns.
You can have a White Pages listing without your address, you can get a listing with just an initial, and you can choose not to be listed in the White Pages at all. You can even legally have a phone under a phony name.
The thing that amazes me is that most Americans do not seem to care what happens to information about them. Sure, they complain, but they still buy the gadgets, sign up for all sorts of online things and, most significantly, do not demand that the politicians protect the people's interests instead of the corporations that profit off citizens' no-longer-existent privacy.
A question: why is it that righties get more agitated about the loss of privacy to corporations and free-lancers than lefties do? Lefties seem to get upset if the N.S.A. aggregates phone metadata but are largely happy to give truly personal info to Zuckerberg, Brin, Cook, et al.
As long as people are willing to give up their privacy and security for a bit of convenience and diversion, those who seek to profit from it will do so. The Times, too, often falls into that category, especially the never-ending free ads masquerading as tech articles in the Bits section of the paper.
The masses Google Nero, while Rome burns.
2
In the last election, when I got to the polls, I was told I was not on the list of registered voters, although I was registered and had voted in the last several elections. I was told I could fill out an absentee ballot, and following the instructions of the poll worker, I filled out a new voter registration form as well, which the poll worker looked over before I sealed it. Several weeks later I got a letter telling me that my vote had not been counted because I did not include my party affiliation on the forms I'd filled out. This was untrue. The party affiliation was there and clearly visible on the copy of the application enclosed with the letter.
I was outraged that my vote had not been counted because of the negligence and incompetence of the Board of Elections. Incompetence, or someone didn't want me to vote.
I was outraged that my vote had not been counted because of the negligence and incompetence of the Board of Elections. Incompetence, or someone didn't want me to vote.
1
Ask Debbie Wasserman-Schultz...and NGP VAN...
1
Working in Healthcare with the HIPPA Law, I am astonished at how stupid our governments- Federal, State & Local- are concerning data collection and privacy. People would lose their mind if hospitals & clinics were as casual about access to the private details of people's lives.
Let me posit a few things:
1- No private company has a right to own, collect or sell private data obtained by any level of government. If it is not banned- it should be.
2- The gathering of huge databases by the online stalking of Internet users via tracking cookies, invisible pixels and such is also illegal and should be banned outright.
3- The collection & sale of data by private companies via license plate readers, cell records and such should also be banned.
Privacy was considered so important that it was included in the Bill of Rights, passed simultaneously with our Constitution as a requirement for approval. That right to privacy has not been protected by politicians and Jurists and has created a wild west bonanza of data collection and sale that makes a mockery of our expectation of privacy even before one considers the actions of the NSA- which I also think are or should be illegal.
These huge databases are a highly attractive target for criminals and others with less than honorable intent. They should not be in the hands of private companies for profit and should be held to the highest security standards possible.
I would love to see a class action for negligence in data security.
Let me posit a few things:
1- No private company has a right to own, collect or sell private data obtained by any level of government. If it is not banned- it should be.
2- The gathering of huge databases by the online stalking of Internet users via tracking cookies, invisible pixels and such is also illegal and should be banned outright.
3- The collection & sale of data by private companies via license plate readers, cell records and such should also be banned.
Privacy was considered so important that it was included in the Bill of Rights, passed simultaneously with our Constitution as a requirement for approval. That right to privacy has not been protected by politicians and Jurists and has created a wild west bonanza of data collection and sale that makes a mockery of our expectation of privacy even before one considers the actions of the NSA- which I also think are or should be illegal.
These huge databases are a highly attractive target for criminals and others with less than honorable intent. They should not be in the hands of private companies for profit and should be held to the highest security standards possible.
I would love to see a class action for negligence in data security.
6
This is only the most recent example of state carelessness with voter information. And the GOP has the chutzpah to institute photo IDs because they claim fear of individual illegal voters. A party of reality deniers and fabulators, and it's always the other guy's fault. They never, never take responsibility for their errors and failures.
Was this just an irrelevant rant against the GOP, or is there supposed to be some kind of relationship between the GOP's trying to oppose voter fraud, and the release of voter records, we're not aware of? Let's admit that whether the idea stems from, or is pushed by the GOP, that photo IDs are necessary to deter voter fraud, is irrelevant. What matters is that it's obvious, and that if the democratic process is to have any meaning, we need to make sure that 1 citizen = 1 vote, not 1 democrat-voting illegal = 6 votes. The idea that nobody's going to abuse a system where anybody can stroll into a polling place, simply claim he/she is a citizen, and go ahead and vote, is preposterous. Whether keeping the status quo benefits the Democrats or the GOP should not be part of the equation for such reasonable and fair people as Liberals: it's wrong, wide-open to fraud, and easily cured with an easily available photo ID. Period.
And still, no relationship whatsoever with the release of voter records....
And still, no relationship whatsoever with the release of voter records....
1
Bonnie Rothman - Thank you for an extremely rabid anti-GOP comment that had absolutely nothing to do with what is being discussed and I'm sure you vote!
The Help America Vote Act was passed to increase public participation in politics. This information is necessary to effectively engage in politics.
We need to increase the punishment for identity fraud and cyber crime. Criminal punishments need to Prevent criminals from repeating crimes and Deter people from engaging in a first crime. Information is not the problem. Failure to punish is the problem.
We need to increase the punishment for identity fraud and cyber crime. Criminal punishments need to Prevent criminals from repeating crimes and Deter people from engaging in a first crime. Information is not the problem. Failure to punish is the problem.
1
Really? How do you propose to punish criminals operating from China, Russia, Nigeria, etc, etc., ?
1
Voter records are public records, as they should be. When one makes the very public act of voting or attending Town Meeting, you are declaring your legal residency and openly participating in the democratic process. It is not a private transaction. Simply making all voter information easily available is not an intrusion but a welcome download critical to democratic process.
" It is not a private transaction."
So then, why do we have private booths?
"making all voter information easily available is not an intrusion but a welcome download critical to democratic process"
And how so? This is a genuine question. What purpose does my private data being public have, and how is its availability "a welcome download critical to democratic process"? I really don't see it.
So then, why do we have private booths?
"making all voter information easily available is not an intrusion but a welcome download critical to democratic process"
And how so? This is a genuine question. What purpose does my private data being public have, and how is its availability "a welcome download critical to democratic process"? I really don't see it.
2
Why are things such as drivers license and library card numbers included with the data? What value does that add to the Democratic process?
“...it is extremely important for campaigns to be able to know who can vote for them, and be able to do legitimate outreach and engagement...(t)hat’s the point of the democratic process: that you can talk to voters.”
Wrong! The point of the democratic process is for the citizens of our fair land to choose - free of pressure, persuasion and undue influence - their legislators and political leaders. Politicians can still address voters by lots and groups with optional attendance...
It is irritating, intrusive, invasive and smacks of coercion to be specifically targeted by a specific campaign and candidate...and, to date, that's only been by inundating the snail-mailbox and deluging the answering machine with flyers and robo calls...and their ever present calls for more money.
All for naught in my case, as the politician's electoral suitability/desirability has been decided over the previous couple of years of actions, initiatives and the party's practiced platform and informal agenda; not by the previous couple of months of non-stop rhetorical platitudes, prevarications, spins, exaggerations and good old fashion lies by either commission or omission.
Wrong! The point of the democratic process is for the citizens of our fair land to choose - free of pressure, persuasion and undue influence - their legislators and political leaders. Politicians can still address voters by lots and groups with optional attendance...
It is irritating, intrusive, invasive and smacks of coercion to be specifically targeted by a specific campaign and candidate...and, to date, that's only been by inundating the snail-mailbox and deluging the answering machine with flyers and robo calls...and their ever present calls for more money.
All for naught in my case, as the politician's electoral suitability/desirability has been decided over the previous couple of years of actions, initiatives and the party's practiced platform and informal agenda; not by the previous couple of months of non-stop rhetorical platitudes, prevarications, spins, exaggerations and good old fashion lies by either commission or omission.
2
I am shocked at the lack of knowledge of the posters on this article. Usually commenters on the New York Times are logical and thoughtful even if I don't necessarily agree with them. On this particular article there is ignorance (worry about their secret ballot, thinking credit is linked to voter registration), paranoia, rants against political parties, and worry about conspiracies. This information has been available for years, first in white pages of the old telephone directories, and now online for a price. In some states you do have to pay for voter information but in many states you don't. Everyone needs to face up to the fact that there is little to no real privacy in the digital age, beginning with when you get your birth certificate. It is almost impossible to live off the grid if you want to have a job, drive, vote, have a bank account or a credit card. It's good to be vigilant in protecting your information but escalating to paranoia and conspiracy theories just limits your access to other people and the amenities that make life worth living.
2
This is a superficial argument. White pages books weren't programmable and an individual could be unlisted relatively easily. Institutions should do a better job of managing individual-level information and should minimize disclosures to those necessary for institutional function. There is nothing paranoid about demanding this, and in fact it is reasonable to assume that our institutions could succeed in achieving this. That they do not is cause for severe dissatisfaction, unrelated to "living off the grid".
2
It's not just hackers publishing this type of information. Websites claiming to be geneologysites also publish it. Go to flvoters.com, and you will see the home address and birthdate of everyone who is registered to vote in Florida and a few other states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, etc.)
The main problem is the lack of state laws that keep this information private. Florida law makes the situation even worse because it is now impossible to register to vote or get a driver's license without providing a real address. Post office boxes are not allowed. So now I have my home address out on the Web for the entire world to see. This is a nightmare for anyone who is concerned about stalkers. And it is completely legal, because the laws of these states make this data "public information".
The main problem is the lack of state laws that keep this information private. Florida law makes the situation even worse because it is now impossible to register to vote or get a driver's license without providing a real address. Post office boxes are not allowed. So now I have my home address out on the Web for the entire world to see. This is a nightmare for anyone who is concerned about stalkers. And it is completely legal, because the laws of these states make this data "public information".
2
Someone's voting history could change due to differing circumstances. It is no one's business and should be destroyed after the election. Then we would not have to worry about such nonsense.
4
The New York Times does not accurately recount the circumstances of the DNC data breach, as reported by the data vendor NGPVan:
1. The data was not hacked. An error by the vendor, NGPVan, made Clinton data visible on the Sanders system.
2. No voter files were downloaded by the Sanders campaign. According to NGPVan, the sole piec of data downloaded was a summary table.
Readers expect accuracy from the New York Times. This piece distorts the record.
1. The data was not hacked. An error by the vendor, NGPVan, made Clinton data visible on the Sanders system.
2. No voter files were downloaded by the Sanders campaign. According to NGPVan, the sole piec of data downloaded was a summary table.
Readers expect accuracy from the New York Times. This piece distorts the record.
12
Of COURSE the NYT distorted the record of the DNC data breach. NYC is too busy shilling for the HRC campaign to worry about accuracy. Besides, if their "error" harms the Sanders campaign, all the better from their (NYT's) point of view.
1
What's more, I've seen posts from Sanders fans saying that not long after the NGP Van data breach they started getting emails from the Clinton campaign. Now how could that happen? Hmm...
Especially after the theft of the 2000 elections, how can we ever trust our government to handle the voting process; replete with its hackable machines that is really another "hanging chad"!? This is the same government that demands a national ID and its database, which will become the next hack for someone.
The government's credibility has eroding away for some time and now, considering the gross and slick manipulation on the part of current news media, I am now more firmly convinced that real change is going to come in the form of another revolution that will finally wipe the greasy film of civility away unless real change occurs.
The government's credibility has eroding away for some time and now, considering the gross and slick manipulation on the part of current news media, I am now more firmly convinced that real change is going to come in the form of another revolution that will finally wipe the greasy film of civility away unless real change occurs.
12
Facebook knows far more about you, and compiles it in one place. Your location, your name, your political beliefs, whether you drink or smoke, who your friends are, where you have traveled, your face and eyes which can be used by recognition software, whether you own guns or dogs, who your children are and where they go to school, whether you are married or divorced, political, racial, ethnic, sexual identity. You all may also have left a psychological profile with them to safeguard.
In other words, there is no personal privacy any more. That is long gone. The 4th Amendment is now moot. There are cameras everywhere, snitches, snoops, wiretaps, listening devices.
and then there is the government surveillance, foreign hackers, foreign government data gathering, employer snooping and drug testing.
In other words, there is no personal privacy any more. That is long gone. The 4th Amendment is now moot. There are cameras everywhere, snitches, snoops, wiretaps, listening devices.
and then there is the government surveillance, foreign hackers, foreign government data gathering, employer snooping and drug testing.
8
All privacy is gone UNLESS you are a mega donor to a Super PAC. In the case of the ultra-wealthy, SCOTUS has carved out a secure, private niche for those folks to participate in the political process anonymously.
2
In the meantime, all states are moving towards having to send their DMV records to a private corporation so that a national database of driver's licenses can be created. And states are told that soon, Homeland Security and TSA will not accept driver's licenses that are not in this program. And the licenses are supposed to include a magnetic stripe with identifying info, including thumbprints...but hey! It's just big data! No reason to worry!
11
Does this mean Bernie Sanders is in trouble again?
5
Why don't the writers of this article check out claims made rather than simply presenting them? For instance, the following is either a lie or unbelievable ignorance: "Big data advocates argue that what is in most voter files is nothing more than the White Pages of a phone book augmented with party affiliation and voting history."
You can have a White Pages listing without your address, you can get a listing with just an initial, and you can choose not to be listed in the White Pages at all.
The thing that amazes me most is that most Americans actually do not seem to care what happens to information about them. Sure, they complain, but they still buy the gadgets, sign up for all sorts of online things and, most significantly, do not demand that the politicians protect the people's interests instead of the corporations that profit off citizens' no-longer-existent privacy.
As long as people are willing to give up their privacy and security for a bit of convenience and diversion, those who seek to profit from it will do so. Of course the Times often falls into that category too, especially with the never-ending free ads masquerading as articles for tech ware in the Bits section of the paper.
One observation/question: why is it that righties get more agitated about the loss of privacy to corporations and free-lancers than lefties do? Lefties seem to get upset if the N.S.A. aggregates phone metadata but are largely happy to give Zuckerberg, Brin, Cook, et al a free pass.
You can have a White Pages listing without your address, you can get a listing with just an initial, and you can choose not to be listed in the White Pages at all.
The thing that amazes me most is that most Americans actually do not seem to care what happens to information about them. Sure, they complain, but they still buy the gadgets, sign up for all sorts of online things and, most significantly, do not demand that the politicians protect the people's interests instead of the corporations that profit off citizens' no-longer-existent privacy.
As long as people are willing to give up their privacy and security for a bit of convenience and diversion, those who seek to profit from it will do so. Of course the Times often falls into that category too, especially with the never-ending free ads masquerading as articles for tech ware in the Bits section of the paper.
One observation/question: why is it that righties get more agitated about the loss of privacy to corporations and free-lancers than lefties do? Lefties seem to get upset if the N.S.A. aggregates phone metadata but are largely happy to give Zuckerberg, Brin, Cook, et al a free pass.
8
Just being alive these days means that we live in data-rich glass houses that anyone with a good IQ but bad intent can most likely invade. Therefore, about all we can do is take a deep breath, relax, kick our data-breach fears and phobias in the behind, cross our fingers, don't walk under ladders, knock on wood, throw salt over left shoulder, burn incense or sage, have good internet security; and make sure to eat a big bowl of black-eyed peas on New Years Day.
8
I've done a few searches of elderly, (in their late 80's), relatives and found that their entire voting records come up and reveals their home addresses, etc. These relatives have never used a computer in their entire lives but one could easily target these individuals with this information alone, which also includes current phone numbers.
So when you register to vote and do so, this is recorded permanently on many computer data collection bases or whatever. This seems too transparent and makes one not want to register to vote. Especially if you're someone who is in need of privacy for whatever reason.
So when you register to vote and do so, this is recorded permanently on many computer data collection bases or whatever. This seems too transparent and makes one not want to register to vote. Especially if you're someone who is in need of privacy for whatever reason.
6
It seems like for every individual working to computerize voter information there are ten guys out there hacking it.
4
These voter lists really tell very little, but they do ID who votes. The article headline suggests potential disaster but the article doesn't outline it. Fear that a third party could get a list of voters?
Or they could reveal something embarrassing such as Trump registered as a Democrat and consistently voting in Democratic primaries? They do reveal that sort of info.
I don't see how when you voted over the years, your name, your address, your age, your gender, and maybe your phone number could be enough for identity theft.
Or they could reveal something embarrassing such as Trump registered as a Democrat and consistently voting in Democratic primaries? They do reveal that sort of info.
I don't see how when you voted over the years, your name, your address, your age, your gender, and maybe your phone number could be enough for identity theft.
1
Anyone who has worked in electoral politics knows that this kind of information has been openly available for decades and is used by campaigns from school board to President every single day. Marketers and advertisers use similar lists and we all add to them every time we conduct an on-line search or purchase. The only scandal here is that the valuable data is presented for free, rather than for a charge.
Since so many people are now saying they didn't vote for Obama it would be interesting to fact check their statements and embarrass them into admitting they voted for this clown not once but twice.
1
It isn't the actual VOTE, it's the party affiliation and which primary you voted in.
1
I just change my mind, no on-line voting. In addition, I have been generally ambivalent about voter ID. However, this information being so readily available can lead to serious voter fraud. Voter ID needs to happen. The next task should be making an approprite type of ID available to all registered voters.
4
This is not okay! Since so many American citizens records are posted online, is all of this identical information about all of the members of congress and their family members listed? If not, I want the same treatment they got so my data is not available online without my permission, public record or not! Yes, it IS the thought of some stranger deciding to pick me out of millions of other records for who knows what reason; not that it will stop the DNC from calling me repeatedly just as I am getting ready to sit down for dinner. Further, it makes it more plausible that Diebold and others that have the potential to manipulate our votes cast through electronic means. Awfully worrisome and not bode well for voter integrity.
9
The article was unclear - the disclosure of a database of names, addresses and even party affiliation is nothing particular. However, if "voting history" is involved, then it suggests a true corruption of the very essence of American voting, anonymity
6
Hillary Clinton’s campaign, for example, has a team of engineers and others constantly monitoring for potential attacks...Really????? Must be the same ones that ran her email servers.
7
This is would not be an issue if not for the fact that incumbents do everything in their power to suppress voter registration and voting. By making it so difficult and confusing to register and vote, they only need to appeal to a very narrow segment of the voting age population. Plus, thanks to gerrymandered districts, they only really need to appeal to members of their party who are part of that segment. Confusing? That's by design. Wait til all these Sanders supporters in New York realize its already too late to switch their enrollment to Democratic to vote in the 2016 primary. So, this is why the hacked data is gold. It was compiled and made available with a total disregard to privacy. The truth is, this personal information has been legally hacked for years by candidates and consultants. Why is this any different?
2
This seems a lot like what the NSA is doing. No detailed personal information, but maybe you can discover something from the "mosaic."
3
Small ball. Wait till the Healthcare.gov and other medical databases get hacked. Not if but when.
8
While the privacy breach is troubling, what really concerns me is that it gives lazy citizens another reason not to vote. And of course, that is what the GOP wants--fewer voters. So I have to be suspicious about why this database is "suddenly" showing up on the Internet.
6
If I don't care, do I still need to be afraid?
To clear the record in regard to the whole NGP-VAN voter record breach by the Sanders campaign; NGP-VAN clearly came on record reporting that NO personal voter information was accessed, and nothing was ever "exported" by Sanders campaign.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz flat-out lied on national television when she said data was "saved and exported". What else is new, though -- her entire political career is a big lie on television.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz flat-out lied on national television when she said data was "saved and exported". What else is new, though -- her entire political career is a big lie on television.
6
Of course.
Fear is what the GOP uses to push every agenda and low voter turnout is good for them.
So making people afraid to vote is just what they want.
Fear is what the GOP uses to push every agenda and low voter turnout is good for them.
So making people afraid to vote is just what they want.
2
actually the current roster of candidates is enough to turn everyone off. With this crowd, who cares. They can have the data, it is the other stuff that compromises my privacy. If this stuff is public, what other info is public? If anyone thought Kafka's bureaucracy was crazy, just wait till next year to see where we land.
2
Since they always seem to know when firewalls go down has anyone contacted Sanders IT people for comment or have they already "saved" these files and blamed it on the DNC because they were caught?
1
This country and its citizens need to get serious about internet security and personal information. It should be off limits to any business for any purpose. My personal information should never be made public unless I physically say so and am received compensation for that data exchange. Until that happens, I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever about any claims to privacy in any situation, including my doctor's office.
9
Yes, never trust your doctor especially where money is concerned.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/nyregion/a-patient-is-sued-and-his-men...
I agree that corporations should pay you for your information. Unfortunately, most people gladly give up information to social media companies, researchers, marketers or anyone who asks. It makes me scratch my head.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/nyregion/a-patient-is-sued-and-his-men...
I agree that corporations should pay you for your information. Unfortunately, most people gladly give up information to social media companies, researchers, marketers or anyone who asks. It makes me scratch my head.
2
Then pay your doctor in cash and get your prescriptions filled at an independent pharmacy and pay in cash. That's a start.
1
This is the reality that Democrats. liberals and progressives (or whatever they choose to label themselves today) have wrought. Instant access of your personal information to define your voter identity and preferences appears to be what the Obama administration desires and requires. Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes it comes true.
2
I read the part about certain state governments being required to maintain voter data bases and then I think about the recent requests of some government agencies that they be given access to encrypted private communications--just in case. In light of all the breaches (admittedly, the source of all this information is not entirely clear), enforcement agencies' requests for access almost sounds like a child asking for a puppy when they've killed numerous goldfish through neglect.
Gov't, et al: "I want your customer's cell phone data."
Apple, et al: "No, you're not responsible."
Gov't, et al:"C'mon, pleeeeeeease can I have the cell phone data? I promise I'll take reeeally good care of it!"
Apple, et al: "Like you took care of your other data?"
Gov't, et al: "[pouting/mumbling] That doesn't count... it was just some government employees... I want REAL data..."
Apple, et al: "What was that?!"
Gov't, et al: "Nothing... But c'mon, Chinese companies give THEIR agencies data..."
Apple, et al: "Well, maybe you can play with Chinese cell phone data..."
Gov't, et al: "That's not the same! I don't want to listen to THEIR citizens, I want to spy on my own! [stamps foot] It's not fair!"
Apple, et al: "Alright, I think it's time for bed."
Gov't, et al: "Can you at least read me a bedtime email?"
Apple, et al: "Did you do your chores and get that warrant, like you promised?"
Gov't, et al: "[mumbling] whatever..."
Apple, et al: "What was that?!"
Gov't, et al: "I said goodnight."
Gov't, et al: "I want your customer's cell phone data."
Apple, et al: "No, you're not responsible."
Gov't, et al:"C'mon, pleeeeeeease can I have the cell phone data? I promise I'll take reeeally good care of it!"
Apple, et al: "Like you took care of your other data?"
Gov't, et al: "[pouting/mumbling] That doesn't count... it was just some government employees... I want REAL data..."
Apple, et al: "What was that?!"
Gov't, et al: "Nothing... But c'mon, Chinese companies give THEIR agencies data..."
Apple, et al: "Well, maybe you can play with Chinese cell phone data..."
Gov't, et al: "That's not the same! I don't want to listen to THEIR citizens, I want to spy on my own! [stamps foot] It's not fair!"
Apple, et al: "Alright, I think it's time for bed."
Gov't, et al: "Can you at least read me a bedtime email?"
Apple, et al: "Did you do your chores and get that warrant, like you promised?"
Gov't, et al: "[mumbling] whatever..."
Apple, et al: "What was that?!"
Gov't, et al: "I said goodnight."
2
O.K. Now it may be possible to know if Donald Trump is/was registered as a democrat. Too bad that the new records exposure won't tell us if he was born in Kenya.
3
The article says States were forced to create the databases "As a result of the Help America Vote Act of 2002," 2002. George Bush and Dick Cheney. That would be PREVENT AMERICANS FROM VOTING AND HAVING ANY PRIVACY ACT. Overturn that "Act" and protect MY information.
5
Identity Theft is much more likely than death by terrorists and has the potential for anguish and harm to its victims. As it is now, too much time is spent defending the home against phishers and telemarketers, who are virtual home invaders..
The first national candidate that understands the issue and comes up with a feasible solution merits a serious look.
The first national candidate that understands the issue and comes up with a feasible solution merits a serious look.
13
Back when I lived in California, the law firms I worked for routinely accessed this information for background research on potential jurors. What was available and how one accessed it differed slightly from county to county (sometimes I got a disc, sometimes it was online and sometimes I'd have to use a terminal in City Hall) but anyone could get it.
9
We're reading a newspaper on line. We handed Big Brother the keys to the kingdom a long time ago.
3
Articles like this are a form of terrorism, but no one dies, by those who want to manipulate elections and leave no trace. This is public information folks!
4
There is nothing wrong with having this data public. This is the data you can get from the registrar of voters if you don't live in s corrupted state. In the corrupted states this information is only available to the party in power or is for sale for a great deal of money. Having the information locked up makes it possible for the two major parties to maintain their stranglehold on US elections. And it makes a great deal of money for data brokers who have bribed their way into buying information that should be freely available in the interest of free elections and citizen participation.
11
If you think this isn't a big deal it's because you've never had to deal with identity theft.
23
Here is the problem that I think a lot of readers are missing. I PAY the phone company NOT to list my number, I don't give it out even to the government. My credit card co has it , my bank does not, my address is not listed, my immediate identity is/was secure, but that is no longer the case. I couldn't care less about who sees who I vote for---50 years of democrats good, bad and otherwise, with the exception of the past gov of California who is a republican. Get it?
I limit the number of people who know my name, where I live and how to reach me. That is what is really important to me. That is called PRIVACY.
I limit the number of people who know my name, where I live and how to reach me. That is what is really important to me. That is called PRIVACY.
5
It shouldn't be available to anyone. I don't want to be lobbied by candidates regardless of how much money they've got.
1
I'm shocked that there is a national voter data base, I thought that was only handled by individual states. If the government can do that we should be able to register every voter in the US for national elections and have that verified, just like the IRS or Social Security. No more fooling around with state mismanagement and deliberate fraud by partisan politicians who control statehouses.
10
You didn't read the article closely enough. (It wasn't particularly well-written) Yes, the states handle their own databases. No, there is no official federal database of voters. The 'national' databases talked about in the article is simply shorthand for 3rd party databases that have been compiled from state information by companies in the business of servicing political campaigns.
The particular 'national' database that was found, and is headlining the article, as mentioned in paragraph 3, appears to have been compiled from an unknown source.
The particular 'national' database that was found, and is headlining the article, as mentioned in paragraph 3, appears to have been compiled from an unknown source.
1
Well.....it's been known for some time that a really odd individual in New Hampshire has been publishing voting records online for some time:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorado/comments/2ihfmr/some_guy_in_new_hampsh...
Not just Colorado, but ALL states. After reading about this individual, and finding my old voting info and personal data on his database, I made the decision that I could no longer register to vote. Somewhere on line is a report of a Connecticut TV station interviewing what looks to be a hermit in a small office with a desk top computer.
In an case, this is another clear example of the Internet ripping apart the fabric of society in front of our eyes. Soon no one will register to vote (like me), since I don't want my personal information collected and displayed by another database. I predict, even though we are all addicted, there will be a mass movement to cut ourselves from this horror of the web, even though we cannot. What a curse.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colorado/comments/2ihfmr/some_guy_in_new_hampsh...
Not just Colorado, but ALL states. After reading about this individual, and finding my old voting info and personal data on his database, I made the decision that I could no longer register to vote. Somewhere on line is a report of a Connecticut TV station interviewing what looks to be a hermit in a small office with a desk top computer.
In an case, this is another clear example of the Internet ripping apart the fabric of society in front of our eyes. Soon no one will register to vote (like me), since I don't want my personal information collected and displayed by another database. I predict, even though we are all addicted, there will be a mass movement to cut ourselves from this horror of the web, even though we cannot. What a curse.
17
@Citizen X Too late, you're already registered. The horse is out of the barn. You might as well continue voting.
different state, different address, long ago. Haven't registered here yet.
Don't give up with that old horse is out of the barn stuff. Too many people do---fight for your rights and privacy.
Don't give up with that old horse is out of the barn stuff. Too many people do---fight for your rights and privacy.
"Voter information of any kind that fills in all the blanks makes it easier for phishing, for social engineering, and for extortion."
EXTORTION? If that's the case, just consider how valuable, maybe even priceless, the hacks by the NSA are, particularly when they spy on Congress, as revealed in a WSJ expose today. Think how much easier it could be to pass some gift to the oligarchs, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, if you had Congress' private communications, especially when they involve deals made with a foreign government.
"What will it take to get your vote?" an Israeli official asked. In other words, name your price, Congressman.
There is no honor among thieves. The biggest hacker/data thief in the world is the NSA and the biggest crooks are in Congress.
EXTORTION? If that's the case, just consider how valuable, maybe even priceless, the hacks by the NSA are, particularly when they spy on Congress, as revealed in a WSJ expose today. Think how much easier it could be to pass some gift to the oligarchs, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, if you had Congress' private communications, especially when they involve deals made with a foreign government.
"What will it take to get your vote?" an Israeli official asked. In other words, name your price, Congressman.
There is no honor among thieves. The biggest hacker/data thief in the world is the NSA and the biggest crooks are in Congress.
31
@annenigma
What you describe is closer to bribery.
Extortion is when someone tells you how nice your daughter's home is, and what a shame it would be if you (Congressperson/Senator) voted the wrong way and something should happen to it. The rest of your comment, however, is valid.
What you describe is closer to bribery.
Extortion is when someone tells you how nice your daughter's home is, and what a shame it would be if you (Congressperson/Senator) voted the wrong way and something should happen to it. The rest of your comment, however, is valid.
2
"Even with aggressive efforts to secure proprietary data, accidental breaches can still happen, as evidenced by the recent flare-up after a member of the campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders viewed and saved information from the Clinton campaign’s confidential voter file that was held by the Democratic National Committee."
That "member of the campaign of Bernie Sanders" used to be referred to as a plumber.
That "member of the campaign of Bernie Sanders" used to be referred to as a plumber.
3
Nice to know Hillary has experts protecting data valuable to her campaign. Meanwhile our nations secrets passed through a home-brew server behind the washing machine in her basement while she was our Secretary of State. She's certainly in touch with what matters to us average Americans.
10
Oh come on. The server she used was setup for Pres. Clinton. It is secure!
1
In the 90's you could buy in Circuit City, for maybe $50, nationwide Phone CD's containing first and last names, street address, city, state, zip, phone number, latitude, longitude and, for businesses, SIC codes (dry cleaners vs. gas stations) assigned by the company. Phone companies sued the CD publishers for copyright infringement. But courts ruled for the CD publishers because they used touch typists (overseas, obviously) to transcribe directory books that phone companies gave away. After a while, the CD publishers got smart and controlled data export file size ... by price. But before that, a co-worker and I did great electronic mapping data analysis in the Greenpoint-Williamsburg area of NYC, basically for free. Rough examples of the data's usefulness: first names establish gender (Jane vs. John), last name surrogate national origin. The problem with the CD's was that the certain parts of the data (names, phone numbers) aged quickly, but addresses less so. So, this stuff has been around for a while.
4
Agreed but that does not make it desirable or right. Voters should not have to be concerned their personal and private information will be distributed and it certainly should not be a condition of registering to vote.
Voters deserve the opportunity to opt-out and have their information kept private.
Voters deserve the opportunity to opt-out and have their information kept private.
1
The courts ruled for alternate directory publishers because names and numbers could not be copyrighted: facts are not protected under law, only creative expressions. (See Feist Publications, Inc., v. Rural Telephone Service Co.)
"Big data advocates argue that what is in most voter files is nothing more than the White Pages of a phone book augmented with party affiliation and voting history.."
Which is exactly why they don't need it digitized and handed over to them.
By the way, there is also a mailbox at pretty much every persons home. If the folks working for a particular candidate really believed in that person, they would want to get that candidates info out to EVERYBODY. Campaigns would do better to try to access people that aren't voting and find out why rather than keep going back to the same well of already established voters.
Which is exactly why they don't need it digitized and handed over to them.
By the way, there is also a mailbox at pretty much every persons home. If the folks working for a particular candidate really believed in that person, they would want to get that candidates info out to EVERYBODY. Campaigns would do better to try to access people that aren't voting and find out why rather than keep going back to the same well of already established voters.
5
After the IRS' behavior, I don't think I'd like anyone in the government to have access to my voting record. That should be strictly off limits to any government employee.
10
I don't think these Big Data guys have quite understood out how nasty, and how dangerous, making that sort of information easily available can get. I think there's a much less obvious, but much grimmer, interpretation of this situation. The whole idea of a secret ballot is to protect people. Given the sleaze/lunatic factor in American politics, this publication obviously wasn't done to flatter Big Data's sense of its own importance - It was more likely done to expose as many voters as possible to potential risks and generate natural worries about personal security and safety, with a hit on the electoral system as a sort of dessert. This whole thing looks more like a type of systematic attempted intimidation in this context, rather than some insane random hacker/ gaga ideologue attack on democracy. Privacy is really a type of self defense - Lose it and you're exposed to anyone or anything. Make people fear to vote, and you lose your democracy. No good interpretations available in either scenario, and that can't possibly be a coincidence.
40
Ironic, isn't it, that democrats have made the "war on voters" one of their memes? This breach is an assault on voters if there ever was one. Where is all their concern for voter privacy?
4
This situation seems to be deemed unworthy of mention so far by both sides so far. It'd be nice to see something other than the usual 2 dimensional PR approach about an actual issue directly affecting actual voters, wouldn't it?
Intimidation -- exactly. A significant number of people are already reluctant to register to vote as they think it will mean getting called for jury duty or dunned for an unpaid parking ticket.
If people think voter registration means handing over their identity to cybercriminals, they will be even less likely to exercise their right to vote.
If people think voter registration means handing over their identity to cybercriminals, they will be even less likely to exercise their right to vote.
5
Government organizations, corporations and banks have very lax security polices because no one punishes them when their hacked files led to privacy issues, stolen identities and outright frauds.
For example the Bank of America uses customer's Social Security number and a few zeros as the plan number on its IRA accounts. B of A refuses to use any other number even when requested. If the Bank of America is hacked once again, hackers will get the SSN of anyone with an IRA plan with the bank. And the FDIC-- we-- the taxpayers will be on the hook for any losses.
For example the Bank of America uses customer's Social Security number and a few zeros as the plan number on its IRA accounts. B of A refuses to use any other number even when requested. If the Bank of America is hacked once again, hackers will get the SSN of anyone with an IRA plan with the bank. And the FDIC-- we-- the taxpayers will be on the hook for any losses.
9
Just another reason I don't bank with B of A.
2
Since voter records are kept state by state - it would appear that either the hackers hacked 50 states, or more probably, records held by a political party. If the latter, one has to wonder if some operative within a political party wasn't party to the hacking (or simply leaking).
4
There are commercial companies that obtain the state voter records and combine them for sale to political parties. According to this article, this data seems to be from NationBuilder. They are the provider to the Republican Party.
How can a commercial company obtain state voter records? It would seem to me that this is a violation of privacy -and if anyone registers to vote in any state, they should have to allow that information to be "sold" to a commercial company - or to any other entity.
All of this information is freely available on the internet. A site called Find the Data tells me when and where I registered to vote, my party affiliation, how I voted (in person or by mail-in). Another site lists my state voters alphabetically and gives my complete birthdate. Google yourself; you might have to dig in a few pages but I bet you are out there.
For a few months after I moved my residence, my new address never popped up on the internet. Then I went to the DMV to change the address on my license. Guess what happened then?
Our government agencies sell us out and then scold us about being careful with our information. If someone wants my personal information, they should have to go to the courthouse, sign in and show a valid ID before they can access my records.
For a few months after I moved my residence, my new address never popped up on the internet. Then I went to the DMV to change the address on my license. Guess what happened then?
Our government agencies sell us out and then scold us about being careful with our information. If someone wants my personal information, they should have to go to the courthouse, sign in and show a valid ID before they can access my records.
48
The internet is still like the Wild West in terms of data security.
Since we're in the early stages of defining privacy, it's a shame we are not in a stronger position to demand that we be designated the owners of our own data. Imagine if we owned it and everyone had to pay us directly for it?
Since we're in the early stages of defining privacy, it's a shame we are not in a stronger position to demand that we be designated the owners of our own data. Imagine if we owned it and everyone had to pay us directly for it?
10
"All of this information is freely available on the internet."
But not in a compiled, easy to use form.
But not in a compiled, easy to use form.
7
I tried also and could not find my information after several tries and several minutes.
Even if the information is available one person at a time with effort it is much different to have a completely formatted and aggregated list of 190,000,000 voters.
It should not be a requirement that your information can be public to vote. Voters deserve the opportunity to opt-out and keep their information private.
Even if the information is available one person at a time with effort it is much different to have a completely formatted and aggregated list of 190,000,000 voters.
It should not be a requirement that your information can be public to vote. Voters deserve the opportunity to opt-out and keep their information private.
Despite numerous comments here, it cannot apparently be re-stated enough.
Names, addressed, and telephone numbers are what normal people used to call the White Pages (of the telephone book) and voting records (did you vote, are you registered as a partisan, not who you voted for) have always been public information.
Combining these into a digital database has some value. But no one can "steal your identity" by just knowing these basic facts about your existence.
If people really want to "do something" that would give them more transparency then Congress could just pass legislation that recognizes some degree of property rights in your own name and data (but not unlimited rights) and require some nominal payment ($0.0001 cent?) for each use and a central record of everyone who has accessed your data (not unlike a credit report).
Names, addressed, and telephone numbers are what normal people used to call the White Pages (of the telephone book) and voting records (did you vote, are you registered as a partisan, not who you voted for) have always been public information.
Combining these into a digital database has some value. But no one can "steal your identity" by just knowing these basic facts about your existence.
If people really want to "do something" that would give them more transparency then Congress could just pass legislation that recognizes some degree of property rights in your own name and data (but not unlimited rights) and require some nominal payment ($0.0001 cent?) for each use and a central record of everyone who has accessed your data (not unlike a credit report).
12
This is well beyond what used to be the White Pages. Back then, there was one phone per residence and one entry per family. Now, even little children have phones and those phones can be tracked, traced, hacked, whatever by just about anyone for a multitude of activities.
Back then, someone noted that for 10 cents, anyone could make a bell ring in your house. Now, many people can look at your house from above, look into your house, steal your financial data, steal your personal data, steal your communications with others, steal all your contacts and who knows what else. In the future, they might mess with your thermostat, your car, your washing machine and your refrigerator. Haven't we had enough yet?
This is yet another reason to get off FB and other nonsense social media. Block trackers, block invasive ads/emails/texts and value your privacy. Lack of privacy will have a chilling effect on human behavior.
Back then, someone noted that for 10 cents, anyone could make a bell ring in your house. Now, many people can look at your house from above, look into your house, steal your financial data, steal your personal data, steal your communications with others, steal all your contacts and who knows what else. In the future, they might mess with your thermostat, your car, your washing machine and your refrigerator. Haven't we had enough yet?
This is yet another reason to get off FB and other nonsense social media. Block trackers, block invasive ads/emails/texts and value your privacy. Lack of privacy will have a chilling effect on human behavior.
14
In addition to what Dean has stated above, even if you have decided to opt out of the info-sharing economy, your family and friends are steeping in the selfie-blaring economy, and their phones with your contact information, are hoovered up by Zuckerberg and his friends Acxiom and Experian, anyway.
1
@Someone who believes such information is not useful for identity theft
It goes a long way toward allowing someone to apply for a credit card in your name, or even sell your house.
It goes a long way toward allowing someone to apply for a credit card in your name, or even sell your house.
1
The political process will change drastically when this voter list is representative of the actual demographic distribution. I told my kids to vote in every available election even if they got fooled into voting against their interests just so that their votes get counted and they also get counted by the mainstream political parties. Sunshine is the first building block of equality.
3
Oh dear, I fear this means lots more robots calling at all hours, spammers flooding the email and the mailbox stuffed with even more baloney. The bright side: maybe it will help the P.O get out of debt.
2
Get Caller ID (I've had it for many years). If a number appears that I don't recognize, or it says Anonymous or Caller Unknown, I don't answer...it's a modest charge on your phone bill each month, but it's worth it not to have to talk to people I don't want to talk to.
8
It's remarkable how easily the foundations of society can be obliterated. If privacy interferes with commercial free speech, why argue , just put everyones' personal data on-line. If concerns about global warming interfere with exploiting fossil fuels, why debate it, just blow past 350 ppm carbon dioxide.
If you penetrate the barriers protecting privacy and a stable environment, whose to interfere with commercial interests.
If you penetrate the barriers protecting privacy and a stable environment, whose to interfere with commercial interests.
3
Only one good thing can come out of this. It will make it easy to detect voter fraud. If Kochs buy illegal votes we can get them
1
Stories like this, about serious issues, always seem to bring out the hate spinners and fear mongers who make everything a partisan issue and trumpet baseless allegations of wide spread disenfranchisements and the like. This story is about electronic data security, poor government rules, privacy and identity theft and so on. Why must these always be turned into partisan screeds?
3
One party wants to get as many people out to vote as possible while the other party wants to get as few people out to vote as possible. That is why it is a partisan issue. Voter intimidation and all kinds of noxious barriers to voting are alive and well.
5
People should come out to vote if they're eligible, who they say they are and (hopefully) informed.
Voter registration information is (and ought to be) public. Anyone can freely compile open records and mine them.
How is "in New Hampshire, people have to verify they are with a political party or committee before purchasing the voter file from the secretary of state." even remotely constitutional?
How is "in New Hampshire, people have to verify they are with a political party or committee before purchasing the voter file from the secretary of state." even remotely constitutional?
2
I wanted to send a Christmas card to two friends, but didn't know their address and not having access to the white pages of the phone book, I simply googled their names, whereupon I was offered my friends' criminal records and family names for a fee.
Such a public records disclosure is from the Republican Party's playbook as the party of rugged individualists (the public sector), Mitch McConnell fully acknowledges, with the intent of maximizing profits from an unsuspecting public, who unknowingly acquiesce to having their records trolled and probed for manipulation. Information is power to the greedy and as our tax system is rigged for the one percent, so is our voter profiles.
I remember a time when we lauded a secret ballot. Now, we've become just a number, a tool to be used by these rugged individualists. We're more than a number, and greater scrutiny of the scrutinizers is warranted. Haven't we been coerced enough from the Big Brothers of unfettered capitalism.
Such a public records disclosure is from the Republican Party's playbook as the party of rugged individualists (the public sector), Mitch McConnell fully acknowledges, with the intent of maximizing profits from an unsuspecting public, who unknowingly acquiesce to having their records trolled and probed for manipulation. Information is power to the greedy and as our tax system is rigged for the one percent, so is our voter profiles.
I remember a time when we lauded a secret ballot. Now, we've become just a number, a tool to be used by these rugged individualists. We're more than a number, and greater scrutiny of the scrutinizers is warranted. Haven't we been coerced enough from the Big Brothers of unfettered capitalism.
37
"Haven't we been coerced enough from the Big Brothers of unfettered capitalism"
Not until VOTING is entirely digital. Then wait to see who is elected. We won't even need the SCOTUS 9 to rig the election.
Not until VOTING is entirely digital. Then wait to see who is elected. We won't even need the SCOTUS 9 to rig the election.
3
Don't you understand? Your ballot is still secret!
1
So this is the Republicans' fault? Of course.
Why doesn't this piece contain instructions for those of us who may have had personal information compromised? NYT is notorious for breaking stories like this without providing the fundamentals of help.
20
Maybe those instructions weren't available at press time, Grace. As for "personal information compromised," anyone can pay to get the same information about you that your voting record would provide.
I bet you blame the NYT for that, too.
I bet you blame the NYT for that, too.
1
Let city, county, state and federal government agencies keep all the databases they want.
But, for the love of a little common sense stop putting private, personal, confidential information on the internet. It does not HAVE to be there.
I worked for a state agency for 30+ years. From the days of pen and paper record keeping, to an internal agency system that connected county offices with the state office, to everything being accessible through the internet.
There is not any agency of any kind that cannot function without having all its records being put on the internet.
We keep getting stung and stung and never learn. Just because you can use what you know is an insecure system doesn't mean you should keep demonstrating your stupidity over and over by continuing to use it for confidential government information.
But, for the love of a little common sense stop putting private, personal, confidential information on the internet. It does not HAVE to be there.
I worked for a state agency for 30+ years. From the days of pen and paper record keeping, to an internal agency system that connected county offices with the state office, to everything being accessible through the internet.
There is not any agency of any kind that cannot function without having all its records being put on the internet.
We keep getting stung and stung and never learn. Just because you can use what you know is an insecure system doesn't mean you should keep demonstrating your stupidity over and over by continuing to use it for confidential government information.
11
Since you mentioned the Firewall brouhaha committed by NGP VAN, the readers of NYT might as well know that the employee who peaked at the data who was fired, was actually a guy that the DNC recommended to the Sanders campaign. And anyone who thinks this debacle is not intentional, you are a fool. If I can connect the dots so should you. The DNC is clearly helping Hillary get the nomination, and planting a mole on Sanders campaign is not only criminal but a pretty dumb idea. I can already see the result backfiring on the shameful faces of the DNC mob operatives.
11
One thing the far left and the far right have in common is their love of a good conspiracy theory. That's quite a leap: from the allegation that Sanders hire was "DNC recommended" to full blown plot to plant a mole who would "peak" at Clinton data, bringing the existential threat of Bernie Sander's already-fizzling campaign.
5
I believe it and just donated to Jill Stein's campaign ------ preparing for the inevitable.
1
Where did your information about a mole come from, hearing, reading, maybe a link, please. I am a contributor to the Sanders campaign, plan to vote for him in the primaries, interested in substantiation.
1
I live in NYC and I get phone calls, mailings and all kinds of junk. When I get phone calls asking me who I plan on voting for I tell them it's none of their business. One caller got so belligerent with me when I said that I called him an expletive and hung up on him.
6
Voting records have easily been available in most states for decades. Prior to computers, precinct captains would put the names and registrations of voters on their blocks, add personal information like which issues were important, what topics to avoid....and then they would take those cards and walk around with the candidates introducing them door to door. Now we have computers all the info can be centralized and copied easily. No more secrets.
2
So all this information was freely available? The story is that someone just compiled it and that this makes it easier for criminals to steal people's identities?
This is not right. Private records of people's names, addresses and voting records should only be available to candidates with billionaire donors to purchase. With this kind of information available, certain interests will be able to rig the system to target and mislead prospective voters. This could even change the outcome of the next presidential election.
This is not right. Private records of people's names, addresses and voting records should only be available to candidates with billionaire donors to purchase. With this kind of information available, certain interests will be able to rig the system to target and mislead prospective voters. This could even change the outcome of the next presidential election.
11
I am sure that the moneyed politicos like Soros already have all the info on voters they'll ever need. I honestly cannot imagine the successful Obama crew not handing out this sort of info to their funders already, if only for show-off value.
Sarcasm.
My grandmother told me when I was a lad- Never vote it only encourages them. After reading this & observing this crop of candidates I'll listen to Nana. And after all what's in a name?
5
The CEO of NationBuilder has a strange idea of what democracy is all about.
Here is his comment, in context: “From our perspective, it is extremely important for campaigns to be able to know who can vote for them, and be able to do legitimate outreach and engagement,” said Jim Gilliam, the founder and C.E.O. of NationBuilder. “That’s the point of the democratic process: that you can talk to voters.”
No, Mr. Gilliam, you got it kinda backwards. The point of the democratic process is that We the People select our leaders, and they are supposed to listen to US. The fact that you and the candidates don't even get the point is depressingly telling.
Here is his comment, in context: “From our perspective, it is extremely important for campaigns to be able to know who can vote for them, and be able to do legitimate outreach and engagement,” said Jim Gilliam, the founder and C.E.O. of NationBuilder. “That’s the point of the democratic process: that you can talk to voters.”
No, Mr. Gilliam, you got it kinda backwards. The point of the democratic process is that We the People select our leaders, and they are supposed to listen to US. The fact that you and the candidates don't even get the point is depressingly telling.
118
You are soooo right! Our democracy is collapsing--and fast!
1
If Carla thought a non-funder of Obama's ever had a prayer of getting their green energy project funded, she has much to learn about politics in the 21st century. Remember, these people started out in Chicago, the planet's capital of political corruption.
2
That's a strange rage to have...
He said that campaigns have to know who the voters are for outreach. That's how they know where to hold town halls, what neighborhoods to knock on doors, etc.
The candidates and campaigns getting in touch with voters allows them to talk to the voters. Not dictate. Talk. Talking is a back and forth conversation, and from someone who has done campaign work, candidates should listen to voters and are encouraged to.
All I'm saying is, you're probably misinterpreting "talk to voters." as a oneway street, when what most candidates are trying to do is establish an understanding of the needs of their communities. Granted, the big campaigns don't seem to have time for it (a U.S. Senator has a much harder time due to the scale of the election), but most state legislature and below campaigns are pretty interested in hearing from voters.
He said that campaigns have to know who the voters are for outreach. That's how they know where to hold town halls, what neighborhoods to knock on doors, etc.
The candidates and campaigns getting in touch with voters allows them to talk to the voters. Not dictate. Talk. Talking is a back and forth conversation, and from someone who has done campaign work, candidates should listen to voters and are encouraged to.
All I'm saying is, you're probably misinterpreting "talk to voters." as a oneway street, when what most candidates are trying to do is establish an understanding of the needs of their communities. Granted, the big campaigns don't seem to have time for it (a U.S. Senator has a much harder time due to the scale of the election), but most state legislature and below campaigns are pretty interested in hearing from voters.
There are far too many flagrant violations of privacy, stolen records, money, medical records and much more, The internet has become a threatening presense in our daily lives and if we are going to merge our lives with it, as appareently we are doing, we will need far more agressive national and international law enforcemet and other means of protecting ourselves from the crooks, hackers thieves, artisans and others who daily assault our privacy and steal our property... all done from the hiddlen shadows in - who knows where. It is time the government established an independent agency with adequate staffing and a high level of technical skills coupled with the legal authority to enforce a body of carefully drawn rules with real teeth imposing rigorous obligations on appropriate people to safeguard information entrusted to them. If giving up a measure of privacy is the price, we should have a good debate and if people opt for doing nothing, so be it. Some of us will take a different road. But it is the only way of keeping this vibrant and wonderful but complex and, increasingly, risky means of moving infromation around te world.
5
If someone steals my identity, can I have a new one?
12
Good reason not to vote in the coming election. Thinking I am done....
6
It doesn't matter if you vote or not. If you have registered to vote, the information is out there.
Perhaps the worst of these hackers are the Utah state legislators. They sell all voter records, except those of the legislators themselves and police. These are very detailed records containing information about me that even I did not know. They are enough to steel one's identity. (Utah is one of the few states that requires consumers pay $$ for a credit hold even when personal information has been stolen)
I've lived all over this country and I have never seen a place as comfortable with corruption as Utah.
I've lived all over this country and I have never seen a place as comfortable with corruption as Utah.
24
Utah, is that the State where Mormons rule? I hope they are not responsible for the corruption you mentioned.
3
Sanders camp warned NGP VAN months ago that there were problems. The camp received no help or response.
13
This is why I want the right to encryption on my phone ! I guess my location tracker needs to be turned off & my phone shut down when not in use … is there any right to be left alone ? Where is my
right to privacy ? I never gave anyone the right to publish how often I vote ! How can I opt out ? No wonder my phone constantly rings with political messages ! That's my punishment for voting.
right to privacy ? I never gave anyone the right to publish how often I vote ! How can I opt out ? No wonder my phone constantly rings with political messages ! That's my punishment for voting.
19
Never had that experience. If I do encounter such nuisance I'll make sure they will pay for it.
1
I will always treasure the images of the Palm Beach County paper ballots counted by hand during the 2000 presidential election, for such a method was a measure of how important the vote is.
But such images were also met with great sneer and scorn, because paper ballots just aren't sexy.
Indeed, that sneering and scorning was a measure of how low we've sunk.
Stupid has won.
But such images were also met with great sneer and scorn, because paper ballots just aren't sexy.
Indeed, that sneering and scorning was a measure of how low we've sunk.
Stupid has won.
92
This is America 2015-16: stupid ALWAYS wins.
3
Yes, and SCOTUS and the top 1% financial elite.
I also remember the counting of the ballots, and more importantly, the calling off of the counting and declaration of the winner.
Not even counting actual paper ballots can insure a fair election.
Citizen access to voting is one area where election fraud happens.
The Rs will need to deny voting to millions of minority, poor and young voters to win, as they have campaigned against such groups and clearly do not expect their votes.
Not even counting actual paper ballots can insure a fair election.
Citizen access to voting is one area where election fraud happens.
The Rs will need to deny voting to millions of minority, poor and young voters to win, as they have campaigned against such groups and clearly do not expect their votes.
2
Under the guise of protection against voter fraud, Republicans have been working very hard for a long time to disenfranchise different types of voters (who tend to not like their party).
Pair that goal with a Republican establishment that is threatened by outsiders during a presidential election year and what worries me is not so much the leaked data itself, which is quite tame, but rather the disingenuous, fear-mongering spin that will surely follow.
Pair that goal with a Republican establishment that is threatened by outsiders during a presidential election year and what worries me is not so much the leaked data itself, which is quite tame, but rather the disingenuous, fear-mongering spin that will surely follow.
15
I gather that with the exception of those states that charge for access to voter records and now may have to lower their fees this could be a public service of some sort. I wonder if there are many or any records corresponding to the infamous dead who are said to continue to cast ballots from the grave in support of worthy political machines anywhere.
1
Nice to know one's voting history, address, birth date and party affiliation was released to the world. So much fro a "secret ballot". Then again, in an oligarchy, should it really matter?
More chances for identity theft, this time courtesy of the government.
More chances for identity theft, this time courtesy of the government.
59
The fact that you vote is not a secret. For whom you vote should be. The latter is what is meant by a secret ballot.
2
The information was always available for less than $100 The info does not show for whom you voted, your ballot is still secret.
1
Your ballot is still secret. Voter information just gives your voting record and party affiliation, if any, but it doesn't provide access to your actual ballot.
1
Does anyone in Congress or the Administrative branch have a clue?
5
So this is all public information and widely available. I don't see the problem.
(“It’s not the individual pixels, but the mosaic,” Mr. Spiezle said.)
And if that is the closest you can come to identifying the problem then there really is no problem at all.
(“It’s not the individual pixels, but the mosaic,” Mr. Spiezle said.)
And if that is the closest you can come to identifying the problem then there really is no problem at all.
20
Except some criminal now has over 190,000,000 voter names, addresses, ages, etc that are all aggregated in a nice list and ready for their prying and preying on and unsuspecting public that just wanted to do their civic duty.
Getting 190,000,000 peoples names, addresses and ages, etc one at a time on the internet would be a pretty significant challenge.
Voters deserve the option to opt-out and keep their information private.
Getting 190,000,000 peoples names, addresses and ages, etc one at a time on the internet would be a pretty significant challenge.
Voters deserve the option to opt-out and keep their information private.
1
Let's hope the FBI can solve this crime quickly and bring the criminals to justice. Even if it were an accident, somebody needs to be held accountable.
Why do we even bother having firewalls when we have idiots working behind them?
Why do we even bother having firewalls when we have idiots working behind them?
21
How is it a crime to post public information?
The article needs some concrete examples of what has been or might actually be done by people using this data to make money. As written, it suggests at most a vague threat at an abstract level. (It's similar to worrying about the NSA's bulk data collection, unsettling as that is in principle, without a sober discussion of how that data might be misused.)
20
Identity theft is the most obvious threat, but I would not be surprised to find out that freely available information like this is used by large companies to discriminate against potential employees. This is why we need stronger privacy in this country. Does the thought of your employer forcing you to vote for a certain candidate make you feel angry? And for anyone paying attention to Congress, they snuck CISA into the budget bill that was just passed. Our personal lives are being attacked on all sides.
19
I would check out the guy in charge of the last major hack and data theft: Jeff Weaver of the Sanders' campaign. That is who ordered the hack of Clinton's proprietary data.
2
Long after I'm dead and gone, I'm glad to known that all my "data" will live on and hopefully take on a more fuller and happy life than I ever experienced while on this earth, all in the hands a crafty marketers and creative entrepreneurs who'll use it as the grist for their mills.
If someone can really turn my unremarkable voting history into something salable, then certainly they can turn lead into gold as well. So much for the value of "The New Economy".
If someone can really turn my unremarkable voting history into something salable, then certainly they can turn lead into gold as well. So much for the value of "The New Economy".
4
The article omits who I can sue for this data breach.
Unless the data is already publicly available - in which case, why is this news?
Unless the data is already publicly available - in which case, why is this news?
5
I've run for local office, unsuccessfully (but I'm glad I did). My wife has done so, successfully.
When you run, you get the local voter lists, for mailing and doorbelling. These have names and addresses, obviously, and voting records. You doorbell and mail to the people who not only are registered voters, but who actually vote regularly in elections. Otherwise you are wasting your time and money.
This stuff has always been public information. Who you voted for is private. That you are a registered voter and that you voted, is not.
When you run, you get the local voter lists, for mailing and doorbelling. These have names and addresses, obviously, and voting records. You doorbell and mail to the people who not only are registered voters, but who actually vote regularly in elections. Otherwise you are wasting your time and money.
This stuff has always been public information. Who you voted for is private. That you are a registered voter and that you voted, is not.
80
Sort of. Except now we're watching as our highly ID theft vulnerable Social Security numbers enter the supposedly 'benign' voter registration lists when before they were absent. I don't mind my party affiliation, address, gender, voting history revealed but I draw the line on Social Security numbers.
2
And if you come to my door I'll have you arrested for trespassing.
Why should any of it be public information?
This type of data incident is preventable, but like most white-collar crimes, it will go completely unpunished...and the perpetrator will be given a promotion.
But the more serious issue is when millions of November 2016 'votes' go mysteriously missing in America's disgraceful, unauditable black box voting machines nationwide.
These voting machines have a tendency to sputter and crash along certain partisan lines, have faulty programming and 'secret code'....and are generally owned by large Republican patron corporations.
Bring back the paper ballot or audit the living daylights out of these black box voting hearts of right-wing darkness.
But the more serious issue is when millions of November 2016 'votes' go mysteriously missing in America's disgraceful, unauditable black box voting machines nationwide.
These voting machines have a tendency to sputter and crash along certain partisan lines, have faulty programming and 'secret code'....and are generally owned by large Republican patron corporations.
Bring back the paper ballot or audit the living daylights out of these black box voting hearts of right-wing darkness.
221
Paper ballots, hand-marked and hand-counted, in public, are the only way to have free and fair elections. That's why we don't have them.
168
Right on, Socrates. I would add to that that the technology for fool-proofing electronic voting machines is well established (see, for example, http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/security/making-every-evote-count). Note the date: January 1, 2008, making it eight years ago in two days. So, why haven't cryptographic techniques been implemented to ensure voter security? Follow the money.
13
I think we should vote nationally by calling a toll free number and using a specially assigned PIN. No excuse for no voting and no need to take time off from work. Those without access to a phone could use a phone at the public library.
I used to think voting online was the way to go, but given the ease of hacking, would be adamantly against it.
I used to think voting online was the way to go, but given the ease of hacking, would be adamantly against it.
8
You have to register to vote to get good credit, and you have no choice what is done with your information. It is mystifying how complacent American business, companies, and individuals have become to the very real cybersecurity threat that incredibly sloppy practices like this present. State actors such as China, North Korea, and Russia have very sophisticated and aggressive cyber crime networks and we are opening American citizens up to very real, very serious danger. As usual, it will take some sort of massive state actor data theft and very real harm to many people before anyone wakes up to the threat. Meanwhile we obsess over fake threats to national security. I guess the UCLA breach by a state actor was not enough of a wake up call.
23
It is mystifying how complacent American business, companies, and individuals have become
--------------------
This is not a business a company or an individual. It is the government.
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This is not a business a company or an individual. It is the government.
3
No. You have to pay your bills on time to have good credit and minimize or better yet, pay off any outstanding revolving credit you have. That is how you get good credit.
8
Huh? "You have to vote to get good credit....." Where on earth did you get that idea? Registering to vote has nothing to do with your credit.
1
If NGP VAN data has come into the hands of hackers, responsibility rests in lax attention by the DNC and NGP VAN. Sanders warned them of the downed firewall early on and they did absolutely nothing to improve security. I have no sympathy for the DNC and Debbie Wasserman's nephew, who is involved in NGP VAN, whatsoever.
50
The DNC planted a mole on the Sanders campaign because they were so eager to derail his campaign because it is surpassing all records of voters donation and gaining more voters by the day. If an independent investigation be commenced, I don't doubt that the Hillary's campaign staff was also peaking and downloading Bernie Sanders data. As of now the DNC is not doing anything because they are guilty of trying to derail Sanders' candidacy.
6
Time will probably tell Doris. Personally, I don't know what the DNC is currently up to, except sending me unsolicited emails asking for a dollar, not for the sake of the dollar, but in hopes that my name will be added to Clinton's campaign donator list0, rather than, or in addition to Senator Sander's donator list, before the donor count comes in again. Obviously, the DNC continue to be busy bees.
Doris, Where did you hear or read of a mole injected into Senator Sander's campaign by the DNC ?
It's not "the same as the white pages." A subscriber can opt out of a WP listing and much of the population does not have a land line, only a cell, and would not not be listed anywhere. These are very valuable data.
42
Also, if you have an unlisted landline phone, as I do, you do not appear in the white pages.
1
Nobody's birth date is in the white pages. This is emphatically NOT the same as the white pages.
2
Here we have headlines about the war on terror, jihads, drug war, and Trump while the fox is already in the chicken house. Republicans have been shouting about voter fraud and have made voting harder and harder for the average American, esp the poor and elderly.
Now everyone will be scared to go to the polls and vote. Seems that the suppression of democracy is working faster the conservatives had ever hoped.
So while the Federal government spends $billions on bombers, tanks, submarines that do little to protect the average American, our own personal data and right to privacy is being eroded bit by bit. One more example of how war mongering conservatives have distracted us from the real threats facing us.
Now everyone will be scared to go to the polls and vote. Seems that the suppression of democracy is working faster the conservatives had ever hoped.
So while the Federal government spends $billions on bombers, tanks, submarines that do little to protect the average American, our own personal data and right to privacy is being eroded bit by bit. One more example of how war mongering conservatives have distracted us from the real threats facing us.
112
Sadly, but emphatically, yes, yes, yes.
2
Do not let their fear tactics work and explain to others why they should not be afraid.
1
Why would you be afraid to vote? If you have a history of having voted in every election, that is something to be proud of, not something to be ashamed of or to be afraid for anyone to know. It shows you are a good citizen but still no one knows just how you marked your ballot. I vote in every election then proudly wear an "I Voted!" sticker for the rest of the day.
1
There are no secrets anymore, if one uses a supermarket rewards card everything purchased is recorded and then sold.
20
Pay using cash. Don't frequent stores that ransom your identity for 10 cents off a box of cereal. It isn't worth it!
4
1. Use cash if you don't want your purchases tracked. Nobody is forcing you to sign up for a rewards card.
2. You agree to their terms when you sign up for a rewards card. Read the terms and decide if you *actually* agree. Again, nobody is forcing you.
3. You do actually receive rewards for using those cards and giving them the ability to track/use your data.
It isn't a one-sided affair.
2. You agree to their terms when you sign up for a rewards card. Read the terms and decide if you *actually* agree. Again, nobody is forcing you.
3. You do actually receive rewards for using those cards and giving them the ability to track/use your data.
It isn't a one-sided affair.
13
Provide an alias when getting one of the cards. In fact, many will just give you the card without having to provide any information. If not, don't sign up.
1
This seems to be the price we pay in the digital age. I firmly believe just about everything is hackable, given the right hacker with the knowledge and the nefarious intent needed to do the job.
If this information is so freely available then it's only a matter of time before somebody takes advantage of those who so carefully culled the records. My question is perhaps a bigger one: Who released this and why? The danger of extortion is very real and scary.
Campaigns can't have it both ways, enjoying access to the treasure trove of data, while expecting a high degree of confidentiality and protection for the files. Frankly I don't think much can be kept secret for long in today's world.
If this information is so freely available then it's only a matter of time before somebody takes advantage of those who so carefully culled the records. My question is perhaps a bigger one: Who released this and why? The danger of extortion is very real and scary.
Campaigns can't have it both ways, enjoying access to the treasure trove of data, while expecting a high degree of confidentiality and protection for the files. Frankly I don't think much can be kept secret for long in today's world.
81
Well since probably done by a democrat afraid of the natural outcome of any upcoming election your price tag is of no surprise.
3
With this technology Pandora's box has been opened and....No way to close it!
2
Any evidence other than your extreme bias?
Back to the paper ballot and burn them like in papel voting.
9
will it be white smoke or black smoke?
This is serious stuff man! You guys know that sometimes elections can be called off by the courts or by the Election Commission or the FEC (though FEC might only have limited power on these matters) for this kind of stuff.
2
"... First and last names. Recent addresses and phone numbers. Party affiliation. Voting history and demographics."
Other than the fact that one did or didn't vote in any particular year, it IS the equivalent of the white pages. I fail to see who gets harmed, other than the states that were selling the information.
BY THE WAY, who gave the states that permission and where's our cut?
Other than the fact that one did or didn't vote in any particular year, it IS the equivalent of the white pages. I fail to see who gets harmed, other than the states that were selling the information.
BY THE WAY, who gave the states that permission and where's our cut?
39
I'd guess that you gave them permission.
What's more likely?
Numerous states are publicly and illegally selling some of your information or you checked some box somewhere on something without reading the terms and happily gave states the permission to sell some of your information?
My money is on the latter.
What's more likely?
Numerous states are publicly and illegally selling some of your information or you checked some box somewhere on something without reading the terms and happily gave states the permission to sell some of your information?
My money is on the latter.
2
Your white pages have demographic information in them? Wow! That book must be enormous!
3
You do not get to give permission. Your state government gives permission. Like in Georgia where the Secretary of State allowed not just this info but SSN, too, to be sent out to at least 12 "users": democrats and republican parties, news media (at least 1 news paper) and 9 other un-named entities as well as the Georgia State Dept of Revenue. Funnily enough, the GA governor has NOT forced the resignation of the GA Secretary of State who used an IT staffer only peripherally involved in this debacle as his scapegoat.
6