The capacity to move away from one's past is disappearing, and, for that reason alone, new attitudes and new protective measures in law must create artificially what fires, volume, loss and laziness achieved in respect of paper files. But laws and standards will not come about until there is a strong demand from the public. One can only hope the demand will be there before it is too late. Fair information practices will lead to storage of less information. More accurate and open information must take the place of confidential inaccessible records. Unsubstantiated data, save where the safety of others or society is involved, ought not be stored. The argument that information will become bland as a result must be met with the counter-argument that only in the rarest of cases should unsubstantiated data be used in the decision- making process that relates to individuals. Only on specified, publicized and exceptional conditions should an individual be denied the right to see records which may profoundly affect his or her life.

I have become a firm believer in fair information practices and laws, and in consumer pressure to have them enforced. Information processing must be subject to control: by the individual concerned, by our governments and by the courts.

I keep telling people to ask the collectors of data:
Do you need to know?
Why do you need to know?
How will you use my personal information?
With whom will you share it?
Will you keep it secure" and confidential?
Will you consult me in order to keep it accurate, relevant
and up to date?

And I also keep saying: protect your personal data as you would protect your cash, your bonds, your jewellery. The facts you do not wish shared may be worth a lot more than a couple of $100 bills.