Financial Privacy

For centuries, bankers used to pride themselves on being discreet and confidential about their customers' business. But today that tradition of discretion and confidentiality is breaking down, and consumers' financial privacy is in a sorry state indeed.

The problem lies not just with banks, but also with insurance companies and many other corporations who gather details about the financial lives of Americans, and increasingly see those details as a valuable resource to be mined for profit.

ACLU News Releases
> California Bill Signed Into Law Today; ACLU Urges Other States to Follow Suit (08/27/2003)
> ACLU Hails Milestone as California Legislature Enacts Toughest Financial Privacy Protections in the Nation (08/20/2003)
> ACLU Congratulates People of North Dakota For Defending Their Privacy (06/12/2003)
> ACLU, Eagle Forum and Ralph Nader Agree: 21st Century Privacy Problems Require 21st Century Privacy Protections (10/13/1999)
> ACLU Says that Banks Continue to Spy on Customers (04/20/1999)

Other Links
> North Dakota radio ads against measure 2 (to preserve opt-out rules)
> "POP-ing the Bankers" by Jim Hightower, The Nation, July 22, 2002
> "Will Voters Opt for 'Opting In'?" by Jane Black, Business Week Online, July 11, 2002
> Consumers Union
> EPIC page on consumer profiling
> Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
> U.S. PIRG fact sheet on Gramm-Leach