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E-Mail Address Security

Started by DonnaS • 13 replies • 1460 views

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DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:


All Florida posters,

FYI, I just copied this off of the Property Assessors website in my County. I did not know this was the law in Florida.

"About E-mail

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address published, do not include it on your receipt"
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
That's very interesting and directly addresses another poster's concern some time ago that people's email addresses were "exposed" due to an improper mass e-mail notice.

It may not be appreciated by the residents, but it's not necessarily an exposure or "private" information.

I still would recommend against it, were I advising a board on communication strategy, simply because people don't like it. But it's not a legal lapse. At least in Florida.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:


I paid my property taxes this a.m. and saw this in print on the site, did remember a poster from last month had asked about. At least, now we know---in Florida
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
I doubt this negates the requirement or "testimony" that many companies use that certifies that your e-mail address will not be distributed publicly or sold, and further states the address can only be used internally or some such thing.
JohnO6 (Georgia)
Posts: 424
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By RobertR1 on 10/29/2009 11:04 AM
I doubt this negates the requirement or "testimony" that many companies use that certifies that your e-mail address will not be distributed publicly or sold, and further states the address can only be used internally or some such thing.

Robert - I'm not sure that the "testimony" you refer to is any type of "requirement". If, in order to deal with or do business with some business entity (non-governmental) they require your email address, you have a choice about whether to do business with them or not. If you choose to, the information sharing peril is yours (absent of any information that is specifically covered by law - e.g. HIPPA in healthcare). I think what these companies are accomplishing with their "testimony" is asserting to you that if you provide the info they'll keep it private. That likely increase the probability that you'll actually do business with them.

However, what Donna was referring to was interactions with a governmental body that aren't voluntary. And apparently in that case the State of Florida has designated email addresses as public records - ergo a governmental agency can't keep them private even if they wanted to (I think?).
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:


John,

EXACTAMUNDO. Thank you
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By JohnO6 on 10/29/2009 11:28 AM
However, what Donna was referring to was interactions with a governmental body that aren't voluntary. And apparently in that case the State of Florida has designated email addresses as public records - ergo a governmental agency can't keep them private even if they wanted to (I think?).

More likely that a "governmental agency," or even a private corporation (like an HOA) is not compelled to keep the email addresses private.
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
John, I can buy into this also. EXACTAMUNDO

However this stated requirement by some companies to include your e-mail is not written in stone either.

I can understand the security concerns, but, man, everyones e-mail is out there being circulated around. Maybe not by name identification but it is all over the place. I resent getting "Resident" mail, but what are you going to do.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Robert,

Another example is--say--at a Department store, To fill out a credit application for a hot deal in the store, they want a social security number. I have refused to add it to any application that I have ever filled out. Some let that go by and others will not, saying that it is required. I have walked away a few times. My bank tells me (my money manager) that I do not have to put my S.S# on, so I don't. They can do instant checks now without the social number so why put it on an application where every clerk in the departmant can get it before it goes to be processed? Again, too much information for security issues. (Now you are supposed to say, EXACTAMUNDO)
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
There is no such thing as private information unless you keep it entirely in your head. I remember when I got my driver's license renewed and the clerk misspelled my name, for years I was getting mail addressed to Mr. Geln L. This is why I recommend having several e-mail addresses which can be disposed of.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Donna:

EXACTAMUNDO!


RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
likewise/////////////////////

exactamundo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:


YOU GUYS!
SusanS5 (Florida)
Posts: 16
Posted:
E-mail sent to a government agency (state, local- not sure about fed)becomes a public record under Florida' public records law. That is why sometimes it is best to call if you don't want to leave a paper trail. Telephone messages to government entities are also public records. There are some exemptions, but very few.

Of course, no e-mail is truly private, but private entities aren't required to provide e-mail messages anytime someone asks for them.

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