The risks attached to the companies collecting personal information (data brokers) for the fight agains crime is shown by the recent news that the World-Check terrorism database is exposed online. On 29 June 2016 the BBC published the article World-Check terrorism database exposed online.

In earlier articles writers pointed out the risks attached to uncontrolled collection of personal information:

• Charity & Security Network: World-Check: The Dangers of Privatizing Terrorist Lists, 11 February 2016
• VICE News Reveals the Terrorism Blacklist Secretly Wielding Power Over the Lives of Millions, 4 February 2016

Also for the clients of data brokers collecting information on possible offenders and on the financial status of persons, it is completely unclear what the quality of their activities is.

It is time for legislation regarding these types of activities of these data brokers, including monitoring of the data quality, the quality and security of the IT and the integrity of the people working in these companies.