DESIGNATION CALLS ATTENTION TO IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION PRIVACY

Washington, Jan 26, 2009 - “Most of our work-related and personal information are now stored and transferred digitally,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL). “All of these electronic communications leave behind digital fingerprints open to abuse when in the wrong hands. This resolution draws attention to the importance of protecting sensitive personal information – including health and financial data - from misuse and theft.”

The House today approved Stearns’ resolution, H.Res. 31, expressing support for the designation of January 28, 2009 as National Data Privacy Day. Added Stearns, “Estimates of data breaches since 2005 indicate that as many as 251 million records have been exposed or compromised due to breaches. The result is often credit card fraud or worse, identity theft, which can require time, money, and energy from consumers to repair their good name and restore their credit history.”