Data Brokers: The Unseen Accomplices in a Deadly Minnesota Rampage
The accused Minneapolis assassin allegedly used data brokers to track and murder lawmakers. With personal data just a credit card swipe away, it’s time Congress puts the brakes on this shady industry. Until then, your home address might as well come with a welcome mat and a bullseye!
Hot Take:
In the latest episode of “When Online Data Goes Wild,” we have a tragedy that’s equal parts shocking and infuriating. The grim reality of data brokers enabling violence has caught up with us, and it seems like a plot twist from a dark, dystopian novel. America, meet your new villain: the data broker industry. You thought they were just selling your grocery list? Think again!
Key Points:
- Data brokers may have facilitated the suspect in obtaining personal information of his victims.
- Suspect Vance Boelter is accused of murdering a state representative and her husband, and injuring a senator and his wife.
- Lawmakers’ home addresses were easily accessible via their own public websites.
- The accused left behind notebooks with lists of public officials and online search tools.
- There’s renewed urgency for regulating data brokers to protect personal information.
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