What are some of the privacy issues?
Bankruptcy cases have always been public records viewable by anyone requesting to see the case. However, there has not been the same ease of universal access that there will now be by having access to the entire case record via the Internet. There is concern over the availability of personal information such as social security numbers and names of minor children. Also, persons may be able to determine the debtors medical conditions based upon the doctors and medical companies who are owed money. Addresses would become available to abusive ex-partners from whom the debtor has been successfully hiding. There is also concern over the availability of financial information such as account numbers of credit cards.
Bankruptcy cases have always been public records viewable by anyone requesting to see the case. However, there has not been the same ease of universal access that there is now by having access to the entire case record via the Internet. There is concern over the availability of personal information such as social security numbers and names of minor children. Also, persons may be able to determine the debtor’s medical conditions based upon the doctors and medical companies who are owed money. Addresses would become available to abusive ex-partners from whom the debtor has been successfully hiding. There is also concern over the availability of financial information such as account numbers of credit cards.
