Gene Park reports:
Hawaii lawmakers are likely to take up proposed legislation that would punish state agencies responsible for data breaches that can result in identity theft.
“Right now the problem is that victims are the ones who bear all the brunt in recovering from identity theft,” said state Sen. Mike Gabbard (D, Kalaeloa-Makakilo). “It’s like having someone break into your house and then holding you responsible for crimes committed while the thief was wearing your clothes. Most people would agree that if you mess up, you should own up. So this is what we’re trying to accomplish.”
The legislation will be modeled after proposals offered today by the Liberty Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit civil liberties watchdog group. The report estimates that identity theft caused by breaches has cost Hawaii businesses and banks $571 million since 2005.
Read more in the Star Advertiser.
I had commented previously on the report and analysis.
Of course, if we had a federal law requiring disclosure and notification, etc., much of what the Hawaii legislature is grappling with would be unnecessary.