Not Retroactively Redacting May Have Exposed Data

guest · Jan 30, 2020

Not Retroactively Redacting May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers
January 30, 2020
https://www.governing.com/security/Not-Retroactively-Redacting-May-Exposed-Social-Security.html

Hundreds of Social Security numbers could be contained in unredacted documents housed on the Allegheny County Civil Courts public website.

The Tribune-Review located federal tax lien documents filed each year from 1997 to 2010 that display unredacted tax identification numbers. In many cases, they are an individual’s Social Security number. Others are Employer Identification Numbers, used for businesses.
Allegheny County Director of Court Records Michael McGeever said the county did not retroactively redact these documents after it purchased redaction software in 2012.

“That software was capable of redacting Social Security numbers and other sensitive financial information that filers may have inadvertently added to court pleadings, but is certainly not infallible,” McGeever said in an emailed statement.
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania enacted a statewide public records policy in 2018 that outlines how filings should be redacted.
Click to expand...

Dangers Of Exposed Data
In the case of most individuals, that tax identification number is their Social Security number, Stoner said.

“They are supposed to be redacted, they’re considered personal information,” Stoner said, noting that attorneys are now responsible for making sure redacted versions of public documents are filed.
Exposed Social Security numbers could open several doors for thieves interested in stealing personal information, said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the San Diego-based nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center.
Click to expand...

This type of data exposure is becoming more common as municipalities around the country fail to secure new digital systems and struggle to reconcile open records laws with protecting personal information, said Velasquez.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

Not Retroactively Redacting May Have Exposed Data

guest Guest

Log in or Sign up

Not Retroactively Redacting May Have Exposed Data

guest Guest

Useful Searches