FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning Information Services Investigations, Inc.--P974806 INFORMATION SERVICES INVESTIGATIONS, INC. P.O. Box 116138 · Carrollton, TX 75011 July 7, 1997 Mr. Robert Pitofsky RE: Support of Self Regulation Dear Mr. Pitofsky, In response to the commissions request for additional comments following the hearing held June 10, 1997, I as a licensed private investigator am a regular user of public and non-public records and support the proposition of self regulation. The data we regularly access and use in our reports to clients has a beneficial use and need in society. It is important that a free flow of information be available to support commerce and our judicial system. It also allows the public, who does not have the resources to manage all of the problems they are faced with, to defend itself without looking to government for help. Further, regulation would create additional barrier to use that to day save lives, prevent fraud and bring families together. We are required to keep the information confidential and maintain a high degree of accuracy in our reports due to law and the test of the courts and market place. To have the targets of our investigations able to browse around in our inquires and data, or opt out of the databases that are private and public would be the death of our industry and freedom. The prevent of wrongdoing and protection of fraud are real test of the use of data. Privacy protection can be managed through our industries self regulation of uses and distribution. Our industry has stated a willingness and desire to self regulate. This industry must have the opportunity to self regulate and welcome to the governments help in enforcing the rules, through our efforts and the industries association. I ask that you support self regulation and work with industry to successful bring about policies and procedures that we can all live with in a free society. Respectively submitted, Randy D. Virgil |