Ragan Report

By: 
Amanda Ragan

Protecting Iowans’ privacy and identity

All Iowans should be protected from identity theft, including children and dependent adults. The Iowa Senate approved House File 2368 to help prevent identity theft of kids and other vulnerable Iowans, giving them the same protections as independent adults.

In 2008, the Legislature voted to allow Iowans to tell the three major credit reporting agencies to put a freeze on sharing their credit reports. A credit freeze prevents third parties from accessing your credit reports without your approval. Most businesses will not issue you a credit card or make a loan without first checking your credit history through a credit-reporting agency. So, when someone gets ahold of your name and Social Security Number and tries to open an account, a freeze on your credit reports prohibits your identify from being stolen.

Unfortunately, the credit reporting companies have not allowed parents or guardians to put a security freeze on their dependents' credit reports. Consequently, children have become victims of identity theft when thieves obtain their names and Social Security Numbers. House File 2368 allows parents to tell the credit reporting agencies to place a security freeze on their children’s credit reports and allows guardians of vulnerable individuals to do the same.

Another bill, House File 2289, addresses unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones. These aircraft can be flown remotely, can go places that planes and helicopters cannot and are able to gather valuable information without endangering human lives.

Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration is working on rules to safely integrate drones into U.S. airspace. Insurance companies, agribusiness, news agencies, law enforcement and others look forward to using drones as a valuable tool in their work.

However, drone technology with sight and sound-recording ability is causing concerns among citizens about potential misuse and an invasion of privacy. To address these concerns, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to amend and pass legislation recently approved by the Iowa House.

House File 2289 will ensure that if someone uses a drone to trespass on another’s privacy in his or her home, the drone user can be charged with criminal trespass. In addition, law enforcement must obtain a warrant to use information in court that was gathered through use of a drone. This legislation will not interfere with hobbyists who enjoy model planes or any legitimate business use.

 

Upcoming forums

• Friday, March 21, 10 a.m.: Legislative Forum at Clear Lake Bank & Trust, 322 Main Avenue in Clear Lake

• Friday, April 4, 2 to 3:30 p.m.: North Iowa Economic Growth Forum, co-sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College and the North Central Iowa Alliance, at NIACC’s Muse Norris Conference Center.

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