Accuracy

Accuracy

Accuracy has also become increasingly important as online database proliferate, and information that was once difficult to obtain becomes commonplace. Errors can have serious consequences, and due to database exchange or merging be compounded or quickly propagated. Probably the most damaging results have been from errors which have led to the defamation of an individual. One example is the case of a legislator who was erroneous found to have two Social Security Numbers. Although he was later found only to have one, the news story has probably permanently damaged his political career. (R18.37) A innocent person in New Hampshire was arrested after someone else give a false name when pulled over for a traffic violation. (R13.34) There are several cases of problems with sexual offenders databases. These databases often have people on them who are not sex offenders. Some neighborhood residents, using a California sexual offenders CD-ROM, posted flyers depicting a non-sex offender as a sex offender. Another sexual offenders database was available online. While not terribly privacy-intrusive, the site also contained a form for submitting new sex offenders, a feature with tremendous abuse possibilities. (P05.14)