Originally Posted by Bart
Just pointing out that there's just as much personal information out there, if not more, that is used for unwanted solicitations by private enterprises, which to me IS a violation of my privacy, than the fears most people in here have about the government gaining personal information.
You said that privacy advocates say "almost nothing about how much personal information is given to non-government enterprises." That is not true. I thought you meant professional privacy advocates/organizations, and they certainly are concerned about privacy. As far as this forum goes, it's about Travel Safety/Security, not private organization privacy, so of course that's going to be the focus!
However, in the U.S., there is a reluctance (at least amongst those in power) to legislate how non-governmental institutions have to keep information private, so those trying to increase privacy in the private sphere focus on areas like finance and health, where it is an easier political sale.
The likelihood of identity theft is more likely from the efforts of private enterprises than those of government, although each is vulnerable.
I agree, but I'm worried about more than identity theft.