Data on sale: Trump administration withdraws data broker oversight proposal

The withdrawal comes amid broader changes at the CFPB under the Trump administration. The agency has moved to withdraw scores of guidance documents issued since 2011 and has scrapped other consumer protection proposals. 

However, the CFPB has left the possibility of future action open, stating: “When and if the Bureau determines it necessary to issue a rule implementing the relevant definitions and provisions of the FCRA, it will propose a new rule and seek public comment thereon.” 

Privacy concerns escalate 

Without these protections, data brokers can continue collecting and selling Americans’ sensitive personal information with minimal oversight. This data often includes Social Security numbers, financial records, location histories, and purchase patterns, leaving consumers vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. 

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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