It looks like the state of Minnesota has a vast majority of fishermen tangled up in a net involving mass marketing.

Thursday, July 12, 2001

It looks like the state of Minnesota has a vast majority of fishermen tangled up in a net involving mass marketing. The state has taken lists compiled from fishing license information and plans to sell the lists to information vendors.

Fishing license data is ”public information.” We do not know why. Just because the state demands information from some citizens does not mean those citizens should forfeit their privacy. Minus the requirement, citizens would not voluntarily provide personal information to the state.

We are not sure whether it is worse for the state to sell information or for fellow citizens to demand access to it – just because it is ”public.” Both invade privacy.

How many fishermen are aware they could be targeted by any number of marketing firms just by purchasing a fishing license? How many fishermen actually enjoy getting sales or marketing research calls at dinner time when they’ve just seated themselves to enjoy the day’s catch?

The very least the state could do is inform people when they purchase fishing licenses that the information will be sold. Maybe then people will have a chance to request their information be withheld before several telemarketing companies have their number.

Fishermen with Minnesota fishing licenses can submit a written request to keep their information from being sold. For those fishermen who do not like mealtime telemarketing interruptions, this might be a good option.

-Sentinel of Fairmont, Monday, July 2