Burrillville business owners protest online license renewals and privacy concerns
October 23, 2024 | Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Burrillville Town Council held a regular meeting on October 23, 2024, where significant concerns were raised regarding new business license renewal requirements and the handling of personal information by the town.
The meeting began with a discussion led by a local business owner who expressed strong objections to the new online business license renewal process, which has been contracted to a third-party entity, OpenGov. The speaker highlighted that this company has international ties, including connections to China, raising alarms about privacy and data security. The business owner criticized the requirement for local businesses to create accounts with OpenGov, arguing that it exposes sensitive information, including IP addresses, and violates constitutional rights.
Concerns were further amplified regarding the necessity for business owners to submit personal identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers and birth dates, which would be accessible to both the third-party contractor and the Burrillville Town Clerk. The speaker argued that this practice not only infringes on privacy rights but also subjects business owners to unnecessary background checks every year, rather than on a justifiable basis.
The discussion also touched on the town's responsibility to protect citizens' personal information, especially in light of rising identity theft incidents linked to land records. The speaker urged the council to remove land evidence records from the third-party website, asserting that this would better safeguard residents' information.
Additionally, the speaker raised procedural concerns about being excluded from the meeting agenda, alleging that Town Clerk Mr. Fox had removed their request without proper justification. This led to accusations of misconduct and a call for accountability regarding the treatment of residents' concerns.
The meeting concluded with a call for the council to take immediate action to address these issues, emphasizing the need for better protection of personal information and adherence to constitutional rights. The council's next steps regarding these matters remain to be seen as they continue to navigate the implications of the new business licensing process.
The meeting began with a discussion led by a local business owner who expressed strong objections to the new online business license renewal process, which has been contracted to a third-party entity, OpenGov. The speaker highlighted that this company has international ties, including connections to China, raising alarms about privacy and data security. The business owner criticized the requirement for local businesses to create accounts with OpenGov, arguing that it exposes sensitive information, including IP addresses, and violates constitutional rights.
Concerns were further amplified regarding the necessity for business owners to submit personal identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers and birth dates, which would be accessible to both the third-party contractor and the Burrillville Town Clerk. The speaker argued that this practice not only infringes on privacy rights but also subjects business owners to unnecessary background checks every year, rather than on a justifiable basis.
The discussion also touched on the town's responsibility to protect citizens' personal information, especially in light of rising identity theft incidents linked to land records. The speaker urged the council to remove land evidence records from the third-party website, asserting that this would better safeguard residents' information.
Additionally, the speaker raised procedural concerns about being excluded from the meeting agenda, alleging that Town Clerk Mr. Fox had removed their request without proper justification. This led to accusations of misconduct and a call for accountability regarding the treatment of residents' concerns.
The meeting concluded with a call for the council to take immediate action to address these issues, emphasizing the need for better protection of personal information and adherence to constitutional rights. The council's next steps regarding these matters remain to be seen as they continue to navigate the implications of the new business licensing process.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting