The Value of Digital Privacy in an Information Technology Age

The Value of Digital Privacy in an Information Technology Age

Law, Ethics, and Corporate Governance- LEG500

July 29, 2012

Professor Michelle Olmstead, JD, MBA

List and describe at least three (3) technologies that allow an individual to research citizens’ private data.

Searchbug.com is a technology that charges a fee to help individuals locate people by submitting a name, an address, or an email address. Searchbug.com provides verification concerning identity confirmation, death records, and social security numbers. This site allows one to research background checks, criminal record, arrest warrants, property records, bankruptcy and judgements, evictions, marriage and divorce records, and DMV records (Searchbug.com, 2012).

Backgroundchecks.com is a state-wide and national criminal background check service. This site consists of a complete online screening program that a company can sign up for as a business account or as a monthly member. A business can verify employment education, professional licenses, and take part in employee background monitoring. They also allow verified business client to do civil searches, verifications, driving-record checks, or alias and trace searches (Backgroundchecks.com, 2012).

Maryland Judiciary Case Search is a free public website that allows one to look up cases such as criminal, traffic, and civil citations. In Maryland, laws exist to ensure that state government is open and that the public has access to appropriate records and information that is in its control. Even though some information may be restricted or require registration to acquire, one can look up a person or company under the circuit and or district court system (Maryland Judiciary Case Search, nd).

This site can be used by anyone with access to a computer. Even though process servers, lawyers, and the general public can look into one’s private life, there is still some personal information they will need to have in order for verification purposes. Such information may consist of a full name, DOB, address, and or a specific case number (Maryland Judiciary Case Search, nd).

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public access to this information, both for the researchers and those who are being “investigated”.

The advantages concerning the public’s access to private information can result in the information assisting in job and company security. When an accountant company wants to hire an individual to handle large amounts of cash, but through a background check, found out that individual served time for being the mastermind