Topics and Issues

Data brokers (44) Privacy (42)

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse published a summary of state data broker laws in the U.S. in 2021. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse “is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access to information, policy discussions and meaningful rights so that data privacy can be a reality for everyone.”

The California Office of the Attorney General lists data brokers registered with the state under its data broker law, Cal. Civ. Code Secs. 1798.99.80 – .88.

The Vermont Secretary of State lists data brokers registered with the state under its data broker law, 9 V.S.A. Secs. 2430, 2466 – 2467.

Each year, the CFPB publishes a list of consumer reporting agencies. This list “helps [consumers] take advantage of [their] right[s] to review the information in your consumer reports, and dispute possible inaccuracies with companies as needed. The list includes the three nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian—and several other reporting companies that focus on creating consumer reports for certain industries.” The list comprises CRAs that provide information for employment screening, tenant screening, check and bank account screening, personal property insurance, medical purposes, low-income and subprime financial empowerment, supplementary reporting, utility decision-making, retail purposes, and gaming. In all cases, a user of a consumer report must have a “permissible purpose” required by law (15 U.S. Code § 1681b, FCRA Sec. 604).