I believe the Courant was irresponsible in printing the actual plate numbers in their original story. It added absolutely nothing to their story, but did irreseponsibly compromise the privacy rights of the plate holders.
The Courant could have simply identified the names of the people who were issued the plates, and simply said they received a "3 digit" or "2 digit" plate. In what way did it help their story by listing the actual numbers?
These privacy laws were passed to protect the public from violent stalkers and the like. Prior to the passage of these laws, anyone who wanted to know your name and address could simply go to a DMV office and pay a 50 cent fee for a printout of your vehicle registration. The DMV was barred under FOI laws from asking why, or even recording the name of the person making the request, because that violated their individual right to know.
If the Courant gets their way as proposed in this hard hitting editorial, anyone will have access to your personal information. That includes the guy you cut off in traffic who wants to find where you live so he can vandalize your car, give you a beating or worse, or the the pervert who thinks a female was attractive and wants to find her home so he can lurk outside her home and peer in her windows during the night.
I have no problem with the story being reported with regard to the fact that the Governor authorized or coordinated the issuance of special plates to her former associates or supporters.
I do however have a problem with the fact that a state employee, whether it be at the DMV or the Governor's office, illegally accessed the motor vehicle or criminal justice computer systems in order to run the queries to identify to whom these plates were issued.
In this case it was done for political purposes, but how is it any different had it been a local police officer or dispatcher running a query to find the information for a friend or political ally? That person would face termination from his/her job and criminal prosecution for "computer crime."
The governor's office should know better, and whoever did this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law the same way we would hold that local cop or dispatcher accountable.
The Governor's response that he is new and didn't know about the law just doesn't cut it. If he is that incompetent, he shouldn't be governor.
I wonder if the governor would be so dismissive if it were his wife's or daughter's plate number that had been published by the newspapers after being released by a Republican official?
I would sue both the Hartford Courant and the DMV for releasing this information. They blatantly broke the law here and should pay dearly. What's next? Your confidential medical information being leaked to a newspaper or the media to hurt you publicly? It constantly amazes me how democrats can do this type of thing and all is ok but if it were released by the republicans they would call for the State's Attorney to investigate. Disgusting!
I would sue both the Hartford Courant and the DMV for releasing this information. They blatantly broke the law here and should pay dearly. What's next? Your confidential medical information being leaked to a newspaper or the media to hurt you publicly? It constantly amazes me how democrats can do this type of thing and all is ok but if it were released by the republicans they would call for the State's Attorney to investigate. Disgusting!
IF YOU FOLLOW THE HARTFORD COURANT'S WARPED OPINION ON THIS, IF YOU GO TO THE UCONN MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT, THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO READ YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL IS A STATE AGENCY.
THEY ARE USING THE MOST BAZAAR RADICAL LEFT WING LOGIC I HAVE EVER HEARD OF.
I believe the Courant was irresponsible in printing the actual plate numbers in their original story. It added absolutely nothing to their story, but did irreseponsibly compromise the privacy rights of the plate holders.
ReplyDeleteThe Courant could have simply identified the names of the people who were issued the plates, and simply said they received a "3 digit" or "2 digit" plate. In what way did it help their story by listing the actual numbers?
These privacy laws were passed to protect the public from violent stalkers and the like. Prior to the passage of these laws, anyone who wanted to know your name and address could simply go to a DMV office and pay a 50 cent fee for a printout of your vehicle registration. The DMV was barred under FOI laws from asking why, or even recording the name of the person making the request, because that violated their individual right to know.
If the Courant gets their way as proposed in this hard hitting editorial, anyone will have access to your personal information. That includes the guy you cut off in traffic who wants to find where you live so he can vandalize your car, give you a beating or worse, or the the pervert who thinks a female was attractive and wants to find her home so he can lurk outside her home and peer in her windows during the night.
I have no problem with the story being reported with regard to the fact that the Governor authorized or coordinated the issuance of special plates to her former associates or supporters.
ReplyDeleteI do however have a problem with the fact that a state employee, whether it be at the DMV or the Governor's office, illegally accessed the motor vehicle or criminal justice computer systems in order to run the queries to identify to whom these plates were issued.
In this case it was done for political purposes, but how is it any different had it been a local police officer or dispatcher running a query to find the information for a friend or political ally? That person would face termination from his/her job and criminal prosecution for "computer crime."
The governor's office should know better, and whoever did this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law the same way we would hold that local cop or dispatcher accountable.
The Governor's response that he is new and didn't know about the law just doesn't cut it. If he is that incompetent, he shouldn't be governor.
I wonder if the governor would be so dismissive if it were his wife's or daughter's plate number that had been published by the newspapers after being released by a Republican official?
I would sue both the Hartford Courant and the DMV for releasing this information. They blatantly broke the law here and should pay dearly. What's next? Your confidential medical information being leaked to a newspaper or the media to hurt you publicly? It constantly amazes me how democrats can do this type of thing and all is ok but if it were released by the republicans they would call for the State's Attorney to investigate. Disgusting!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI would sue both the Hartford Courant and the DMV for releasing this information. They blatantly broke the law here and should pay dearly. What's next? Your confidential medical information being leaked to a newspaper or the media to hurt you publicly? It constantly amazes me how democrats can do this type of thing and all is ok but if it were released by the republicans they would call for the State's Attorney to investigate. Disgusting!
IF YOU FOLLOW THE HARTFORD COURANT'S WARPED OPINION ON THIS, IF YOU GO TO THE UCONN MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT, THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO READ YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL IS A STATE AGENCY.
THEY ARE USING THE MOST BAZAAR RADICAL LEFT WING LOGIC I HAVE EVER HEARD OF.
The Herald Editorial Board believes Mr O. acted innocently. That's proof enough for me!....LOL
ReplyDelete