Data privacy company files more than 130 lawsuits against data brokers for allegedly breaking Daniel’s Law
Atlas Data Privacy Corp. on Thursday announced the filing of numerous lawsuits on behalf of more than 20,000 New Jersey police officers, state troopers and prosecutors — and their families — alleging that hundreds of national and international data broker companies, including LexisNexis, have failed to comply with Daniel’s Law.
Daniel’s Law was enacted in the wake of the tragic death of the son of a New Jersey federal court judge in 2020. The law aims to protect the home addresses and unpublished home telephone numbers of law enforcement officers, including judges, from unwarranted disclosure.
“It’s unfortunate to see certain data brokers treat Daniel’s Law with such disregard and indifference,” Atlas President Matt Adkisson said. “Our judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers should receive the full measure of protection afforded to them under the same laws they enforce for the safety of all citizens.”
Currently, Atlas has filed 138 lawsuits alleging failures to comply with Daniel’s Law requests sent by more than 20,000 New Jersey law enforcement officers and other covered persons.
The litigation filed this month not only has implications for the safety of law enforcement officials across New Jersey but also for the national data privacy landscape. Daniel’s Law as written is clear, but, without enforcement and compliance, the law cannot support the individuals and the families it was designed to protect.
“Daniel’s Law is a tremendous preventative measure in an increasingly dangerous environment for law enforcement and judges,” said New Jersey Sen. Joseph Cryan (D-Union), one of the primary sponsors of Daniel’s Law. “The tragic and senseless violence that took the life of Daniel Anderl is something that has never left my mind, and I am proud of the impact our legislation will have for families moving forward.
“The provisions of this law, including the restrictive penalties, are essential for our state’s law enforcement professionals and their families. Some of the absolute horror stories we continue to hear related to the safety and security of those protected under the law, as well as the actions being taken by bad actors like LexisNexis, speak to the definitive need for enforcement, and I am happy and relieved these steps are being taken.”
The lawsuits were filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division.
