The credit monitoring agency Equifax, recently reported a data breach that may have exposed the personal data of 143 million Americans to hackers. It is definitely the largest breach in history, including the social security numbers and other sensitive data of involuntary participants. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission also opened investigations. Ironically, the breach was announced just hours after a congressional hearing in which financial industry representatives wanted to push for increased de-regulation of consumer protection rules governing three major credit reporting bureaus.
In Oregon starting October 1st, it will be illegal to use a cell phone for any purpose while driving. Under current Oregon law, a driver cannot use their phone for 2-way communication such as texting or calling while driving. However, they could still use it to check websites and so on. When House Bill 2597 goes into effect next month, drivers will be required to pull to the side of the road or park in a designted parking place to use their phones for any purpose. According to U.S. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics, 3,154 people were killed in distraction-related crashes in 2013, and about 424,000 people were injured in crashes which involved a distracted driver. In that same year, 10% of all drivers ages 15 to 19 involved in fatal accidents were reported to be distracted.
- KBOO