If there had been time, that would have been an appropriate
headline all over Texas today as word spread about the
recent interpretation of privacy laws by Texas Attorney
General Greg Abbott.
Just as in North Carolina where the decision to place social security numbers online was called a "business tool and management decision" by careless registrars and clerks, Texas clerks dismissed public concern and tossed millions of their constituents to the wolves.
A check of recorder and clerk websites in Texas late this afternoon showed all to be offline except for half a dozen, most of which had malfunctioning links.
The ruling could mean criminal charges for some recorders and clerks. Texas Government Code Section 552.352 makes the distribution of confidential information a crime in some cases, punishable by a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.
The same applies in most other states and carries the same, appropriate consequence for irresponsible clerks who sold and published images in bulk. Attorney General Abbott's opinion specifically warns county officials that they could be charged with federal felonies as well as the misdemeanors.
David Bloys, security specialist and author of News For Public Officials, has been telling public officials across the country the same thing for two years. You can bet he'll work for all Americans as diligently as he did for his fellow Texans.
God bless Texas!
Just as in North Carolina where the decision to place social security numbers online was called a "business tool and management decision" by careless registrars and clerks, Texas clerks dismissed public concern and tossed millions of their constituents to the wolves.
A check of recorder and clerk websites in Texas late this afternoon showed all to be offline except for half a dozen, most of which had malfunctioning links.
The ruling could mean criminal charges for some recorders and clerks. Texas Government Code Section 552.352 makes the distribution of confidential information a crime in some cases, punishable by a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail.
The same applies in most other states and carries the same, appropriate consequence for irresponsible clerks who sold and published images in bulk. Attorney General Abbott's opinion specifically warns county officials that they could be charged with federal felonies as well as the misdemeanors.
David Bloys, security specialist and author of News For Public Officials, has been telling public officials across the country the same thing for two years. You can bet he'll work for all Americans as diligently as he did for his fellow Texans.
God bless Texas!
Jan Forster is the senior analyst with FindMyID.com, an organization that assists citizens nationwide in locating and removing confidential information from government websites. Her services are free.
Visit Jan's Blog or send her an email, She'll help you protect your identity and she does it for free.
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