Illinois Tollway To Keep Private Data Away From Third Parties
By aaroncynic in News on Jan 6, 2012 7:40PM
The Illinois Tollway implemented a new policy to protect the privacy of I-PASS users on Jan. 1, the Naperville Sun reports. The policy was designed to comply with a recently passed House bill which prohibits the Illinois State Tollway Authority from selling or providing personally identifiable information obtained through the collection system to third parties.
State Sen. Tori Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) told the Sun:
“As the use of electronic means of payment becomes increasingly common in our society, we must ensure our laws and policies are kept up to date to keep vital information safe and private.”
Approximately 84 percent of all tolls are paid through the I-PASS system, which equals more than 3.2 million I-PASS accounts in the state.
While Illinois will keep dates, times, locations or directions of travel of I-PASS customers out of the hands of third parties, it will still release them in some cases, including when subpoenaed or when law enforcement requests assistance. In the past, the Illinois Tollway has usually released requested records when subpoenaed. In any other cases however, I-PASS customer information will be kept private.