The Federal Trade Commission testified today before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection that “recent security breaches have raised questions about whether sensitive consumer information collected by data brokers may be falling into the wrong hands leading to increased identity theft and other frauds.” The Committee is examining recent developments involving the security of sensitive consumer information.

From the FTC-

The Federal Trade Commission today released a staff report summarizing the issues and drawing some conclusions from its April 2004 workshop, “Monitoring Software on Your PC: Spyware, Adware, and Other Software.”

FTC Releases Staff Report on Spyware Workshop

In the wake of the recent ChoicePoint files that were compromised recently, new legislation was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (FL), that seeks to establish a better standard for consumer rights concerning the sensitive records of indidivuals, which are controlled and sold by information brokers.

Consumer Union Supports New Legislation

From the FDA-

In order to provide Americans with earlier access to emerging safety information about their medicines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a public health advisory, a patient information sheet and a corresponding healthcare professional information sheet further explaining the identified risks and benefits of Crestor (Rosuvastatin calcium), a cholesterol-lowering drug.

FDA Updated Patient and Healthcare Provider Information Concerning Crestor

From the FDA-

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a public health advisory to inform patients and health care providers about the suspended marketing of Tysabri (nataluzimab) while the agency and the manufacturer evaluate two serious adverse events reported with its use.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory on Tysabri

From the FDIC Consumer News-

Here’s a look at some new studies that can help you better understand the common causes of identity theft —situations in which a crook uses someone else’s personal information to commit fraud — and how the crime is committed.

New Studies Highlight Different ID Thefts

In California, a group of legislators, gov’t officials and consumer advocates held a summit yesterday in Sacramento to tackle the increasing problem of identity theft. Read the full release from the California Department of Consumer Affairs.