Governor Sonny Perdue signs Telephone Records Privacy Act Many of you may recall media reports earlier this year about websites engaged in the business of selling telephone records. Like many Americans, I was outraged to learn that your and my cell phone bills, which typically include a listing of all calls made and received, could be purchased over the Internet by anyone for as little as $99. For the $99 payment, the operators of these websites would contact the telephone company, impersonating the individual whose records had been requested. Once they had obtained the records, normally by claiming that a telephone bill had been lost in the mail, they would turn the information over to the person who paid the fee. There is no telling how many of us have been victimized by these websites -- our privacy invaded by strangers, competitors or predators of all kinds.

David looks on as Governor Perdue signs the Telephone Records Privacy Act at the State Capitol on Friday afternoon. David's friend, Representative Bobby Franklin, took this photograph.

I was even more surprised to learn that this outrageous scheme apparently violated no law. While it is unlawful to use false pretenses to obtain financial information about another person, non-financial information does not enjoy the same legal protection. That is why I introduced Senate Bill 455, the Telephone Records Privacy Act. This bill comprehensively protects the privacy of telephone records by:

1) prohibiting the unauthorized purchase, sale or release of telephone records; 2) requiring telephone companies to take measures to protect the privacy of telephone records from unauthorized access; and 3) requiring telephone companies to give notice to their customers of any security breach jeopardizing the privacy of telephone records. This bill unanimously passed both the Senate and House, and I am happy to report that Governor Sonny Perdue signed it into law this afternoon. Telephone records are personal, and they deserve legal protection. I want to thank Senator John Wiles, who cosponsored Senate Bill 455 with me in the Senate, and Representative Cecily Hill, who presented it for me on the floor of the House. I also want to thank Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen and House Judiciary Committee Chairman David Ralston, all of whom were helpful in moving the bill through the General Assembly. We can all rest a little easier knowing that our personal information is safer now that this bill is law.

Governor Perdue hands David the pen with which he signed the Telephone Records Privacy Act into law.

A New Campaign

Although challenging and at times frustrating, my service in the State Senate has given me a wonderful opportunity to work on a range of interesting issues. I am deeply grateful to the voters of Senate District 48 who have three times elected me to this job.

I filed papers on Monday to seek a fourth term in the State Senate. Although I have not drawn opposition, I intend to campaign for reelection as if I were opposed. I hope that I can count on your continued support. You have my word that I will continue to do my very best to represent you under the Gold Dome.

Let me close with a word of thanks to Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson who hosted my Atlanta fundraiser earlier this week. We will have other events as the campaign progresses, and I will be sure to keep you each informed.

David Shafer