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Comment by analog31

5 hours ago

I believe we need to criminalize possession of the data, with statutory damages per violation.

Exactly. Personal data should be treated like radioactive material. Strictly regulated to such an extent that no one wants anything to do with it unless they absolutely have to use it in the course of their business. After that, their primary concern should be how to dispose of it quickly and safely.

Some laws for protection do exist — eg requirement that sensitive data needs to be kept on systems that have been pen tested. But those laws are hardly ever followed and authorities have no real way to check if the 'protected' status of digital storage is actually maintained. What's worse is there are actually voices inside the government that are calling for an end on encryption stating that it encourages criminal activity.

Not quite the same, but the GDPR gives you a right to erasure.

  • And afaik it also quite strictly regulates which data you're allowed to collect and process and for which reasons. But on hackernews I feel it is more often than not represented as a symbol of EU bureaucracy, being to blame for cookie banners, and/or designed to extort money from poor helpless trillion dollar US corporations.

    • Maybe the bureaucracy is there for a reason some times?

      Maybe the poor helpless US corporations shouldn't be collecting 153M+ drivers licenses?

      Maybe some of the HN audience is trying to collect 153M drivers licenses themselves and labeling it innovation or monetization model?

      Hm.

  • Actually GDPR is exactly what they're asking to. Possession of personal data that is not required for a service's functionality is illegal under GDPR.

Negligence is already illegal.

Just locate a prosecutor.

  • I'll sleep so much better at night when the company that'll leak my Social Security Number on the internet due to hosting a backup of a database that's assessible publicly gets fined $0.30 per SSN leaked.

    Hell, the execs may even briefly mention it once in the bi-hourly meeting about tomorrow's meeting's meeting, chuckling before moving onto the next slide.