Public records on the internet

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a nonprofit consumer information, research, and advocacy program based in San Diego, California. It was established in 1992 and is primarily grant-funded. The PRC operates a hotline, by telephone and electronic mail, and invites individuals to voice their complaints and obtain information about privacy matters. The PRC's many fact sheets offer practical tips on how to safeguard personal privacy. These are available on our web site, www.privacyrights.org.One of the most challenging public policy issues of our time is the balancing act between access to public records and personal privacy. I will discuss the privacy implications of making public records available on the Internet, with emphasis on court records. I will conclude by offering some solutions for safeguarding personal privacy while upholding the public policy reason for providing access, that being to promote government accountability.