NEW YORK — The Federal Trade Commission is calling for legislation that would give citizens access to the information that commercial data brokers store about them.

In a report released this week, the FTC is urging the adoption of a law that would let consumers access and dispute personal data held by information brokers, similar to the way consumers today have free access to their credit reports.

The report comes as the business of background checks is booming. An investigation by The Associated Press last year found that data brokers often store incorrect or outdated information, including criminal records. That meant some people were denied jobs because data brokers incorrectly reported them as convicted felons.

The commission called on data brokers to create a centralized website where they identify themselves and disclose how they collect and use consumer data.

 


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