ChoicePoint was formed in 1997 as a spin-off from Equifax, the giant credit reporting company. ChoicePoint bought more than 70 information gathering companies over the next seven years to amass billions of pieces of data on individual Americans. SR to generating profits computerized data collection and dissemination produces many benefits that are expressed in the company's motto, smarter decisions safer world business transactions are quicker and more secure or both parties know which other the advent of centralized computer database of personal information, the approval of applications for jobs, loans, credit cards, insurance policies, house rentals, and the like can be done much more quickly than in the past.
- Is the existence of data collection companies justified? Does the fact that someone is willing to buy compiled data about you a justification for someone to compile it and sell it, or is that a violation of your right to privacy?
- What types of restrictions, if any, should be placed on data collection and dissemination services? New regulations include investigating the entity asking for such data to see that it operates a legitimate business. If that is the case, is it fair that your landlord can investigate your new neighbor before renting to them, but you cannot?