Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is a nonprofit consumer organization with a two-part mission -- consumer information and consumer advocacy. It was established in 1992 and is based in San Diego, California. It is primarily grant-supported and serves individuals nationwide.

The PRC's goals are to:

Raise consumers' awareness of how technology affects personal privacy.

Empower consumers to take action to control their own personal information by providing practical tips on privacy protection.

Respond to specific privacy-related complaints from consumers, intercede on their behalf, and, when appropriate, refer them to the proper organizations for further assistance.

Document the nature of consumers' complaints and questions about privacy in reports, testimony, and speeches and make them available to policy makers, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and the media.

Advocate for consumers' privacy rights in local, state, and federal public policy proceedings, including legislative testimony, regulatory agency hearings, task forces, and study commissions as well as conferences and workshops.

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PRC Services

A hotline for consumers to report privacy abuses and request information on ways to protect their privacy. Call (619) 298-3396 or contact us here.
An extensive series of fact sheets on privacy issues, available in English and some in Spanish.

A web site (www.privacyrights.org) that provides texts of all fact sheets, transcripts of PRC speeches and testimony, FAQ and index by topic, stories of consumers' experiences, and more.

Assistance and interviews for journalists, providing background and comments for stories.

A referral service for journalists and policymakers who are seeking victims of privacy abuses who have indicated a willingness to talk with the media and/or testify in legislative and regulatory agency hearings.

A speakers service, in which PRC staff make presentations at conferences, employee training sessions, and civic and community group meetings.

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Awards

PRC Director Beth Givens received a 2002 Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (www.eff.org/awards/pioneer.html).

PRC Director Beth Givens is a year-2000 recipient of the Brandeis Award from Privacy International (www.privacyinternational.org).

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and its affiliated Identity Theft Resource Center were honored with a year-2000 award from the Foundation for Improvement of Justice (www.justiceawards.com) for their work with identity theft victims.

The PRC received the 1997 Consumer Action Award for its "outstanding service to consumers." (www.consumer-action.org)

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Praise for the PRC

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is hearing from individuals who we have assisted. Here is some recent feedback:

Thank you so much for some kind of direction!I truly appreciate your help during [this] frustrating problem. (12/18/09)

That was very informative! Thank you so much. ... You've honestly been more help than any other person I've spoken with and I truly thank you for going out of your way. (10/28/09)

Interesting times, but the watchdogs of the world, like you, certainly give comfort. (8/5/09)

Having spent the better part of two days scouring the Internet to curb the easy availability of extraneous information on myself and my family, I wish to express my gratitude for your efforts, and the excellent resources you provide, as a public service. (6/16/09)

Wow, I so appreciate your responding with a personal, tailored reply! (and so quickly!) I'm very impressed and grateful, thank you. (2/14/09)
I just want to thank you for [your data breaches web page]. Awareness is the first step in helping people realize how vulnerable they are, so they can take steps to ensure privacy better. ... I'm a lady whose life was literally destroyed by a stalker who accessed information such as the data breaches contain. I'm also a participant in an Address Confidentiality Program. (2/14/09)

I have made your website a favorite on my computer. ... I feel more secure knowing my rights [about debt collection law]. I have shared the information on your site with friends and relatives in this same situation. It seems the worse the economy gets the more vicious the collection agencies get. (02/02/2009)

Not until I emailed you and you graciously replied with hope and contact information [for Company X's privacy officer] did things start happening. ... Thank you so much for doing what you do and especially for the calming words you gave me when I needed to be calm. (1/15/09)

I’m grateful for your help. I had spent hours trying to navigate to the source for accounting of my [medical] records access, then received only a form letter in reference to my written complaint. You directed me to the right one, and I’ve printed out the form and mailed my request. (12/12/08)

Wow... Thank you so much! I think people underestimate how important it is to maintain our personal privacy. Privacy in general is eroding away and people just don't get it. Thank you for your time. I realize that you have a lot on your plate for a very important cause. (11/19/08)

The PRC is such a wonderful resource and you can't imagine the impact your work has on my practice in victim rights. (1/10/08)

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How to Donate to the PRC

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse appreciates donations from those who value the information we provide on our web site and when we assist them through replies to our inquiry form or with direct intervention. Your support of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse enables us to continue to educate consumers and advocate for stronger privacy-protection laws, regulations and industry practices.

The PRC is a nonprofit program and your donations are tax-deductible. The parent organization of the PRC, the Utility Consumers' Action Network, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Individuals may donate to the PRC in two ways: By using our online Donate Now feature at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2740 or by printing out our contributions form and sending a check to the address above which also is on the form.

Be assured that 100% of your donation will support the work of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Also, please know that we do not release the names of individual donors to others.

Our organization also accepts Cy Pres funding. If you are interested in speaking with the PRC about a Cy Pres settlement award, please contact PRC Director Beth Givens.