CPPA fines data broker selling lists of Alzheimer's patients
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) said on Thursday that it has fined a Texas-based data broker that was selling sensitive health information without being registered as a data broker in the state.
Rickenbacher Data LLC, which does business as Datamasters, bought and resold the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of millions of people with Alzheimer’s disease, drug addiction, bladder incontinence and other medical conditions for targeted advertising, according to the CPPA.
Datamasters also bought and resold lists which categorized people based on their age, perceived race, political views, banking activities and health-related purchases, CPPA said.
In addition to the $45,000 fine, the CPPA has ordered Datamasters to stop selling Californians personal data.
“Reselling lists of people battling Alzheimer’s disease is a recipe for trouble,” Michael Macko, the head of enforcement at the CPPA, said in a statement. “In the wrong hands, these lists could be used to target people for more than just advertising. The same risks apply to selling lists of seniors, people who identify as conservative or liberal, or people who purchase sensitive health products.”
Datamasters CEO David Rickenbacher did not immediately respond to a message sent to him via LinkedIn.
Suzanne Smalley
is a reporter covering privacy, disinformation and cybersecurity policy for The Record. She was previously a cybersecurity reporter at CyberScoop and Reuters. Earlier in her career Suzanne covered the Boston Police Department for the Boston Globe and two presidential campaign cycles for Newsweek. She lives in Washington with her husband and three children.