Photocopier Fallout: Investigation Urged by Congressman

Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) sent a letter today to the head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) calling for an investigation into the, "retention of documents on the hard drives of digital copy machines..."

Markey, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee raised concerns about identity thieves gaining access to sensitive information that could be on those documents.

Markey specifically cited CBS News chief investigate correspondent Armen Keteyian's investigation into the copy machine hard drives as the motivation behind the letter to the FTC chairman.

"The CBS investigation found that many copier hard drives are not wiped clean of the documents stored on them after they are returned or otherwise disposed of, allowing individuals-including identity thieves and other criminals-to access the sensitive and private information and use it to commit identity theft or other crimes," the letter said.

Markey,is also the co-chairman of the Congressional privacy caucus, and has focused on internet and digital privacy issues.

"I urge the FTC to immediately investigate this matter and encourage the (FTC) to pursue measures to provide consumers with additional information about the privacy risks associated with the use of digital copiers..."

More photocopier reports:

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CBS News Investigation into Photocopiers Raises Questions in Buffalo

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