Bruce Robertson, founder of Tristar Investigation was a guest on the popular radio program "Which Way L. A.?" with Warren Olney in March of 1998. (The nationally syndicated show is now called "To the Point".) The show, entitled "Selling Privacy" focused on proprietary databases which gather public and private information on individuals and businesses. The argument was made that theses services violate a person's right to privacy and can promote identify theft.
Robertson explained that private investigators use this information to locate people, conduct asset investigations and prevent fraud. When the host asked if access to this information was an unnecessary invasion of privacy, Robertson pointed out that the public needs access to the information to combat fraud against those who operate under false pretenses. He pointed that people have the rhight to privacy, but they do not necessarily have the right to hide.
Later in the program Robertson was asked about new restrictions proposed to regulate access to public information. Robertson indicated that the information is used to keep politicians honest by having access to their business interests and property holdings in regard their votes. He also pointed out that private investigators provide the essential service of combating fraud, where in most cases the police are not willing to get involved. He stated that is the private sector does not have the ability to regulate fraud, all society will have to pay for that loss.
|
