Information Technology Acts

Information Technology Acts

Information technology is how data is managed by the use of software and computers. Over the years information technology has become more advanced and protecting one's right and privacy have become issues. The Do Not Call Implementation Act, 2003 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 1970 are both enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure that United States consumers are treated fairly and protected.

To stop annoying and unwanted telemarketing calls, the Do Not Call Implementation Act was passed by Congress in 2003. This act enables the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to collect money to regulate and administer the plan presented in the "do-not-call" registry of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, proclaimed under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act. (Uslegal, 2001-2012). Telemarketers acquire their numbers from the telephone book or surveys brought from another company and are now using automated voice message to pre-screen their calls. Before calling consumers, telemarketers are required to access the do-not-call registry to avoid dialing the numbers put on the list by the consumers. The Act also advise the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release a final rule compatible to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act procedure; and to cooperate with the FTC to make sure the do-not-call rule is being followed on a regular basis.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) was originally passed into law in 1970 and has been amended multiple times. This act provides consumer protections concerning the use of accuracy and privacy of information obtain from the files of consumer reporting agencies. (Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, 2012). In the past, there was way of obtaining a copy of your credit report to check the information for accuracy. There also was no procedure for disputing inaccurate information listed on your credit report. The amendment made by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) in 2003, allow consumer to acquire a free report from consumer reporting agencies that are covered by FCRA. Consumers now have the rights to know if information in their file has been used against them, dispute inaccurate information, request a credit score, and numerous other credit rights.

The Do Not Call Implementation Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act were both establish to protect consumers rights and privacy. Since information technology has changed over the years, now is the time to utilize the tools provided by these acts to ensure our rights and privacy as consumers are being protected.

References

Heath, Attorney at Law, PLLC, J. C. (2012). Lexington Law. Retrieved on June 3, 2012, from http://www.lexingtonlaw.com/credit- education/fair-credit-reporting-act/

USLegal.