Data Broker Breaches Result in Billions in Identity Theft Losses

Congressional Democrats have identified over $20.9 billion in consumer losses tied to identity theft stemming from breaches at four major data broker firms. The findings, released in a report by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), highlight the significant financial impact of data breaches and the vulnerabilities within the data broker industry.

Investigation Launched After Opt-Out Tool Concerns

The investigation, led by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the JEC, began in August following a joint investigation by The Markup and CalMatters, as reported by WIRED. This earlier investigation revealed that some data brokers were actively concealing opt-out tools from search engines like Google, using “no index” instructions to prevent their inclusion in search results.

Breaches and Financial Impact

The JEC report details how sensitive data held by these brokers – including dates of birth, addresses, and even Social Security numbers – is exploited by scammers to carry out personalized fraud. The $20.9 billion in losses represents the estimated cost to consumers due to identity theft connected to breaches at Comscore, Findem, IQVIA Digital, and Telesign.

Broker Responses and Ongoing Concerns

Following Senator Hassan’s inquiries, four of the five companies investigated took steps to improve access to opt-out options. These included removing the “no index” code, adding more prominent links to opt-out pages, and providing guidance on exercising privacy rights. However, Findem did not respond to the Senator’s requests or committee staff follow-up, and has not removed the “no index” code from its opt-out page. The report raises “serious, broad questions about its responsiveness to opt-out requests and commitment to data privacy,” noting that Findem reportedly did not process 80 percent of privacy requests in 2024 due to “insufficient data.”

Legislative Action and Industry Scrutiny

Senator Hassan’s function builds on previous efforts to address data privacy concerns. In August 2025, she pushed five major data broker companies to improve data opt-out options for consumers. The recent report underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability within the data broker industry, and may spur further legislative action. A new report from Senator Hassan found that data broker breaches cost Americans $21 billion.

Broader Implications

The findings come as data privacy continues to be a major concern for consumers and lawmakers alike. The ease with which sensitive data can be accessed and exploited highlights the importance of robust data security measures and effective opt-out mechanisms. The report serves as a warning about the risks associated with the collection and sale of personal information by data brokers.