FTC: Consumer Privacy Comments Concerning The Tontine Group--P974806 July 16, 1997 The Tontine Group Secretary, Federal Trade Commission RE: Support of Self Regulation for Private Investigators and Security Dear Mr. Secretary: In response to the commissions request for additional comments following the hearing held on June 10, 1997, We of The Tontine Group, a licensed Private Investigations Agency, who are regular users of public and non-public records, support the proposition of self regulation. The data that we regularly access and use in our reports 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 themselves without looking to government for help. Further, regulation would create additional barriers to use, that today saves lives, prevents fraud and brings 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 data bases that are private and public would be the death of our industry and freedom. The prevention of wrong doing and protection of fraud are real tests 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. The industry must have the opportunity to self regulate and welcomes the government's help in enforcing the rules, through our efforts and the industry's associations. I ask that you support self regulation and work with the industry to successfully bring about policies and procedures that we can all live with in a free society. Sincerely, Kenneth CookKenneth Cook |