Will The Government Now Fine Itself For Leaking Credit Card Data?

from the just-wondering dept

So, if the government is out fining those, like ChoicePoint, who leak data to criminals, what do they do when they're the ones doing the leaking. While it's not the federal government, it turns out that the website for the state government in Rhode Island allowed thousands of credit card numbers to be stolen -- many of which appear to have ended up in the hands of Russian hackers. The article notes that there was a private company that was running the site -- so it's likely they'll face any of the blame. However, it still looks pretty bad when you can't even trust the government with your credit card info.
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  • identicon
    suv4x4, 27 Jan 2006 @ 7:40pm

    Does it matter

    The money of the government come from us, and the fines come back to them. So basically if they would even fine themselves it'll only hurt us (additionally) if anyone.

    Not that I don't understand the sarcasm of your comments, but it's just utterly unfair the government can't be held accountable when it messes up. At most, few people give their resignation and that's it.

    And the crap resumes.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      john, 27 Jan 2006 @ 9:17pm

      Re: Does it matter

      the crap continues because people like you do nothing except exhibit poor grammar and continue to take what "they" dish out.
      Git off yer arse and do something other than bitch about it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Nobody, 27 Jan 2006 @ 11:19pm

        Re: Does it matter

        So what do you propose?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Kingstone, 28 Jan 2006 @ 8:03am

        Re: Does it matter

        Slamming someone on a personal level and making unfounded assumptions about their political activism shows us how sharp your pencil is. I for one think government is a runaway train as far as the common man is concerned. If it's not harming big corporations or the fat cats...nothing will be done.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        stephen pray, 29 Jan 2006 @ 10:34pm

        Re: Does it matter

        yeah lets take to the streets...march on washington. that should shake em up...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Jerry, 29 Jan 2006 @ 12:24pm

      Re: Does it matter

      Our current administration accepts no blame and takes no responsibility. Why would any citizen be surprised at any damage this government causes then ignores...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John The Moron, 27 Jan 2006 @ 9:44pm

    No Subject Given

    Yah, Im a moron.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Andrew Strasser, 27 Jan 2006 @ 9:50pm

    Just as I was mentioning to the people on the floo

    There has been a huge group of terrosists stealing major credit card and bank account information all over the internet. Paypal has been a huge target as well as a few other major companies including this story here which just makes me chuckle even more. I told Bush that he made a mistake when he showed em how to steal funds.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Josh Tomaino, 28 Jan 2006 @ 5:33am

    No Subject Given

    I propose that the government actually takes the time to learn what it takes to safeguard yourself in today's internet age. Maybe once they get a clue, they'll bash all the other crap that goes on and actually make some laws about these kinda things that really make sense. How about starting with all the worthless patents?

    Either way, it's the government, and even more so, an outsourced company. Nothing will be done.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Fed Up, 28 Jan 2006 @ 9:28am

      Re: No Subject Given

      I sugest we all damn well go underground, stop feeding the bastards that are ripping us off via the internet and every other source that our "government" has created including these credit reporting companies to hike interest rates, monitor everything we do and go back to simply paying cash for everything we have!! Screw these guys!!! Money hungry MONSTERS!!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    KiwiFireball, 28 Jan 2006 @ 10:05am

    Wrench

    If you really want to throw a wrench in things, get on a trading network and don't even use cash for services and consumables... Imagine what the govt would do if everyone reported ZERO income truthfull y for one year because noone actually used any form of money... OK it's a pipe dream but a nice thought anyway.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      TIMe, 28 Jan 2006 @ 12:02pm

      Re: Wrench

      It's been done. The members of the network get taxed on the value of the services traded. Now you need a cash income to pay the tax.
      When my employer "gives" me an expense paid vacation, I get taxed on the value at the ned of the year.
      Remember, cherish the things you get for free. They're worth every penny that you paid for them.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Scott, 29 Jan 2006 @ 10:21am

      Re: Wrench

      Damn right, I trade computer parts and services for things. It works for groceries and cigarettes and haircuts and stuff, but not car insurance or electric bills.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 29 Jan 2006 @ 10:52am

      Re: Wrench

      duh, you have to pay taxes on trade... its illegal to barter and not pay taxes

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Knotta Sage, 29 Jan 2006 @ 11:58am

        Re: Wrench

        Illegal to barter? not doubting you but how, why?

        If I trade you a six pack of Budweiser for your six pack of Miller Lite, I do not think there has been any income created for either party, nor any crime.

        If I trade you my three motorcycles for your boat, by the fact we traded it follows there has been an equal exchange of value - there was no income - there was no gain, and I would propose there was no income.

        OTOH if I give you 500 hours of labor to you for your boat, then clearly the boat is income for my labor.

        [It was a million years since I studied such things (taxes) though, so remind me of the guvmnt logic I am suppressing from my memory...]

        From Wikipedia:

        Other courts have noted this distinction in upholding the taxation not only of wages, but also of personal gain derived from other sources - but there are limitations to the reach of income taxation. For example, in Conner v. United States, 303 F. Supp. 1187 (S.D. Tex. 1969), aff’d in part and rev’d in part, 439 F.2d 974 (5th Cir. 1971), a couple had lost their home to a fire, and had received compensation for their loss from the insurance company, partly in the form of hotel costs reimbursed. The court acknowledged the authority of the IRS to assess taxes on all forms of payment, but did not permit taxation on the compensation provided by the insurance company, because unlike a wage or a sale of goods at a profit, this was not a gain. As the Court noted, "Congress has taxed income, not compensation".

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Andrew Strasser, 29 Jan 2006 @ 12:11pm

          Re: Wrench

          barter is illegal in the US.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            giafly, 30 Jan 2006 @ 1:12am

            Re: barter is illegal in the US.

            Barter is legal. However it's taxable, so if you barter stuff and don't pay tax, that would be illegal.

            Barter has been taxable since 1982, when trade exchanges were recognized and codified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Form(s) 1099b (barter) and 1099i (interest) are used for income tax purposes to report the market value of trade exchanges for the year. - Digital Times

            link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    camron ball, 28 Jan 2006 @ 11:09am

    no

    nonononononononononono

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Russell Cole, 28 Jan 2006 @ 12:00pm

    This is Why we are Vehemently Opposed to Data Mini

    There is always the possibility for misuse, whenever agencies of polity are left with unchecked powers to intrude upon our private information. Additionally, the fact that government agencies are contracting private entities to assist in these infringements of the 4th Amendment, only adds further probability to the event, consisting of the misuse of this information. We in the Populist Party of America are involved in innumerable activist engagements designed to curtail the reimplementation of the Patriot Act and other unconstitutional measures, passed by Congress, following the 9/11 Bombings.
    Russell Cole

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Russell Cole, 28 Jan 2006 @ 12:02pm

    This is Why we are Vehemently Opposed to Data Mini

    There is always the possibility for misuse, whenever agencies of polity are left with unchecked powers to intrude upon our private information. Additionally, the fact that government agencies are contracting private entities to assist in these infringements of the 4th Amendment, only adds further probability to the event, consisting of the misuse of this information. We in the Populist Party of America are involved in innumerable activist engagements designed to curtail the reimplementation of the Patriot Act and other unconstitutional measures, passed by Congress, following the 9/11 Bombings. Russell Cole

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Andrew Strasser, 28 Jan 2006 @ 8:22pm

      Re: This is Why we are Vehemently Opposed to Data

      Though me must realize that even in our day and age our address is available or should be to the law enforcement officials. Voter no? Don't get me started... With this in mind how is it any different to be asking for russian terrorists IP addys that they signed up with their e-mail accounts for to stop a ring plaguing the world. Course then again G-mail being involved could just step aside and not hand over the information politely about terrorists who are stealing money nationwide.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    mike, 29 Jan 2006 @ 7:25am

    YES THEY PAY!

    The exact department that is responsible should all get pay cuts as a result. They were too cheap to initially invest in more IT security staff probably becuase they were greedy and figured more money in there pockets. Well now that they had this leak it is certanly going to cost someone money and why not take it from whos at fault. Cut back on the nonsense government spending, they don't need to make more than a doctor anyways. A big part of our government, starting from the president either is or has been involved in corruption at one time or another. Do some research on president bush's career history and when you see him speaking in front of a crowd tell me you really believe everything he has to say.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jerry, 29 Jan 2006 @ 12:30pm

    No Subject Given

    Our current administration accepts no blame and takes no responsibility. Why would any citizen be surprised at any damage this government causes then ignores...

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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