Ethical Hacking News
Data Brokers Face New Pressure to Protect Public Servants' Privacy as Senate Pushes for Greater Oversight
A recent investigation by The Markup and CalMatters found that dozens of data brokers are hiding their opt-out pages from Google search results, making it harder for people to find and use tools to delete their personal data. As the issue gains momentum, a new platform called Public Service Alliance is launching to offer free and discounted privacy and security services to America's 23 million current and former public servants.
Data brokers are facing increased scrutiny from lawmakers and advocates over their handling of personal information. Tens of thousands of government workers have been targeted by threats, with women and officials of color disproportionately affected. A new platform called Public Service Alliance (PSA) has been launched to offer free and discounted privacy and security services to public servants. The PSA marketplace provides resources such as online data removal, legal counsel, and threat monitoring for users.
Data brokers, companies that collect, package, and sell personal information, are facing increased scrutiny from lawmakers and advocates who are pushing for greater oversight and protection of public servants' privacy. The issue has gained momentum in recent months, with several high-profile incidents and reports highlighting the vulnerability of government workers to data breaches, harassment, and abuse.
A recent investigation by The Markup and CalMatters found that dozens of data brokers are hiding their opt-out pages from Google search results, making it harder for people to find and use tools to delete their personal data. This practice is being likened to an "illegal dark pattern" by consumer advocates, who argue that it constitutes a form of corporate exploitation.
The push for greater oversight of data brokers has been driven in part by concerns about the rise in threats against government workers. According to a January report by the Brennan Center for Justice, nearly half of state legislators and nearly one in five local officials reported being threatened, with many saying the abuse has intensified in both frequency and tone.
Women and officials of color are disproportionately affected by these threats, with research showing that they bear the brunt of the abuse at rates several times higher than their peers. The threats are not only endangering people's lives but also warping democratic participation, deterring candidates from running for office, and silencing officials on controversial issues.
The US Capitol Police reported investigating 9,474 threats against members of Congress and those close to them last year, marking a second straight annual increase that more than doubled the total from 2017. These threats are often facilitated by data brokers, which sit at the heart of a multibillion-dollar industry that thrives on collecting, packaging, and selling personal information without people's knowledge or consent.
Data breaches have exposed the movements of politicians and military personnel, while people-search websites have long been used by abusers to track and harass victims. Even when opting out is possible, it's a burdensome, piecemeal process that requires repeatedly chasing down companies as information is re-collected and relisted.
The Trump administration has rolled back efforts to rein in data broker abuse, including withdrawing a Biden-era rule that would have required data brokers to get people's consent before selling sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers or income details. This move has left privacy watchdogs worried about the erosion of oversight in the absence of federal regulation.
In response to these concerns, a new platform called Public Service Alliance (PSA) has been launched to offer free and discounted privacy and security services to America's 23 million current and former public servants. The marketplace debuts amid heightened concern over the safety of public officials and their families, particularly in the wake of recent high-profile incidents.
The PSA marketplace is designed to connect public servants with resources spanning four areas: privacy and security, legal and communications risk, career support, and personal well-being. Services available through the platform include online data removal, legal counsel, threat monitoring, job coaching, and stress management tools.
To access these services, users must create a free account and attest to their government service, after which they can receive codes that unlock reduced rates from vetted vendors. Discounts are steep, with threat monitoring services ranging from $5,000 to over $30,000 annually available for less than $1,000 per year.
The PSA marketplace is notable not only for its scope but also for its bipartisan structure. The group's advisory board spans both parties, including former Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Massachusetts sheriff Peter Koutoujian, as well as David Sundberg, a retired FBI assistant director. This nonpartisan approach underscores the group's view that protecting people's lives should always transcend politics.
The PSA also has plans to extend access to its services to other at-risk groups, including nonprofit workers. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, it represents a promising new development in the push for greater oversight of data brokers and protection of public servants' privacy.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Data-Brokers-Face-New-Pressure-to-Protect-Public-Servants-Privacy-as-Senate-Pushes-for-Greater-Oversight-ehn.shtml
https://www.wired.com/story/public-service-alliance-marketplace-privacy-threats/
Published: Tue Sep 9 08:25:49 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
