Data Broker Was Selling Lists Of Rape Victims, Alcoholics, and 'Erectile Dysfunction Sufferers'
Forbes 12/19/2013 @ 3:40PM Kashmir Hill, Staff Writer
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For just $79, buy the names of 1,000 people who have been raped.[/font]
Data brokers have been under scrutiny this year, with regulators and lawmakers asking these data behemoths what intel theyre compiling and selling about us and how we can get access to it to make sure its accurate. In a congressional hearing this week, Senator Jay Rockefeller hit the privacy invasion jackpot with the testimony of Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum. She revealed disturbing lists that she has found for sale from data brokers youve likely never heard of, including a Rape Sufferers List from a company called MEDbase 200, which sells lists about the medical industry.
The list, which was taken down yesterday after an inquiry from the
Wall Street Journal, is still cached, as are some other disturbing lists such as
erectile dysfunction sufferers, alcoholism sufferers and
AIDS/HIV sufferers. All the lists promised
1,000 names for the low, low price of $79. That means it cost less than 8 cents to figure out a persons life sucks.
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This one is a soft sell.[/font]
The text describing each list is the same (but you swap in the affliction of choice for rape): These rape sufferers are family members who have reported, or have been identified as individuals affected by specific illnesses, conditions or ailments relating to rape. Medbase200 is the owner of this list. Select from families affected by over 500 different ailments, or who are consumers of over 200 different Rx medications. Lists can be further selected on the basis of lifestyle, ethnicity, geo, gender, and much more. Inquire today for more information.
MORE
- XMAS SPECIAL: Next 48 hours ONLY!!!! -- 1000 names for $49.99!!!
{with coupon}