The Choicepoint fallout continues:

March 17, 2005

IRBsearch, together with our data providers, will be enhancing security procedures and verification requirements for customers and will further restrict full display of Social Security numbers (SSN) in public and non-public records and Drivers License numbers (DLN). IRBsearch is working together with its data vendors on ways to allow authorized private investigators secured access to full Social Security and Drivers License numbers.

All authorized users of IRBsearch will still be able to conduct searches and receive the same results they did prior to this change. The hyperlink functions and searching by a Social Security number will continue to be available. The only difference is that all Social Security and Drivers License numbers returned in the search will be truncated.

IRBsearch provides instant access to data pertinent for investigations exclusively to the Private Investigative industry. We are involved in discussions on legal ways to allow authorized private investigators full access to Social Security and Drivers License numbers based on the Gramm, Leach, Bliley Act (GLBA) and the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

It has always been the policy of IRBsearch to conduct extensive verification procedures prior to accepting an application for services, and we will continue to be diligent in enforcing the responsible use of data and the protection of individual privacy. We will also be diligent in lobbying for the rights of Private Investigators to have full disclosure of identifying information that they depend on for investigations.

Other security related enhancements include re-verifying the applications of every customer, improving ID and password procedures and increasing efforts to assist customers in providing secure environments.

We are asking for full support from the investigative community to understand that these changes are crucial in helping to protect continued access to data that is critical for investigations. We stand united with the investigative industry and we share in the concern for a proper balance of protecting privacy while ensuring continued access to this data.

Looks like IRB is anticipating that the GLB Act will be applied to data aggregators sooner rather than later. The proposal to do that very thing came up in a House Subcommittee hearing earlier this week.

-- MDT