Bill Would Shield Taxpayer Email Addresses

December 21, 2014

Warning of identify theft and other crimes, a Florida  lawmaker has filed a proposal that would prevent the release of taxpayers’ email addresses held by tax collectors. The proposal, filed this week by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, which starts in March.

The proposal would create a public-records exemption for email addresses that are used in the course of communications between taxpayers and tax collectors.

“In order to conduct business electronically with a tax collector, the taxpayer must report his or her personal email address,” the bill said. “Under current law, email addresses are public records available to anyone for any purpose. However, such addresses are unique to the individual and, when combined with other personal identifying information, can be used for identity theft, taxpayer scams, and other invasive contacts. The public availability of personal email addresses invites and exacerbates thriving and well-documented criminal activities and puts taxpayers at increased risk of harm.”

by The News Service of Florida

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News