Data Broker Radaris Loses Domains in Privacy Fight

Krebs on Security has reported that the U.S. data‑broker Radaris, which operates the people‑search site radaris.com, has been ordered by a New Jersey judge to relinquish control of its primary domain and more than a dozen additional domains. The ruling follows a lawsuit alleging that Radaris violated New Jersey’s privacy statute, which imposes steep penalties on data brokers that publish personal information about state law‑enforcement officials without consent.

Radaris has long been criticised for ignoring requests to remove individuals’ personal data from its extensive online databases. The company’s pattern of stonewalling and prevarication, as described in the court filings, prompted the plaintiff to seek enforcement under the state’s privacy law, which is designed to protect citizens from unwanted exposure of personal details.

The judge’s order mandates that radaris.com and the other identified domains be transferred away from the company, effectively curtailing its ability to continue operating the services under those web addresses. While the exact destination of the domains has not been disclosed, the decision signals a growing willingness of courts to intervene when data brokers fail to comply with privacy regulations.

For Australian IT professionals, the case underscores the relevance of local privacy legislation such as the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles, which similarly require organisations to handle personal information responsibly. Data‑broker practices that disregard removal requests could attract scrutiny from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, mirroring the enforcement actions seen in the United States.

The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity and privacy training for those entering the field. Institutions like Wepro Technology in Darwin offer courses such as Security+ that equip students and practitioners with the knowledge to navigate complex data‑protection requirements and avoid legal pitfalls associated with mishandling personal information.