Democracy Works

In New York, anyway.

I read about the cell phone records being sold on the open market at Americablog. So I talked to an Assemblyman I now in the Bronx, Jeffrey Dinowitz. He got excited and introduced legislation to ban the selling of cell phone info by brokers or the release by phone companies. He thinks it has an excellent chance of passing. If you live in New York, call your Assemblyman or State Senator and tell them to support the Dinowitz Cell Phone bill.

Here's the press release:

Assemblyman Dinowitz Introduces Legislation To Prevent Brokers from Selling Cell Phone Records

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz announced on the first day of the New York State Assembly session his introduction of legislation to prevent brokers from selling cell phone account information. The legislation also would prevent cell phone companies from releasing account information to anyone except the account holder, law enforcement officials or someone with a court order.

Data brokers and private investigators are offering cell phone records for sale. The legislation would prevent cell phone account records, including information on incoming and outgoing calls, personal information such as name, address and social security, and what type of phone and what features are active on the account like conference calling ability and text messaging, from getting into the wrong hands. The bill would also create civil penalties and establish a right of action to recover damages.

This legislation follows Assemblyman Dinowitz’ efforts last year to protect cell phone users throughout the state by enacting into law legislation (A.7180) that prohibits wireless telephone service providers from creating telephone directories without the users permission.

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “This legislation would protect consumers from having their personal information used by others. It’s alarming to know that anyone could access your private telephone accounts. Stalkers, abusive spouses, sexual predators, scam artists, blackmailers could all have access to cell phone records. It’s imperative that we act quickly to prevent these sorts of abuses.”