Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

PayPal refuses to correct database per Privacy Rules

I have advised PayPal on several occasions that they incorrectly send to my hotmail email address information relating to an unknown Dianna--name removed--who regestered my Hotmail address with PayPal before I recieved it. I have demanded they remove this Dianna--name removed--as the user of the Hotmail account.

PayPal says they can not do that due to the Privacy Act and refuse to make any changes. I have informed them they are sending me unwanted spam and are violating my and Dianna's privacy by improperly using this email account.

They say until Dianna corrects the information in her PayPal account, they will do nothing. I told them that would be acceptable IF someone had not informed them their information was incorrect, however they should be required to contract Dianna and confirm the email address with her. If the account has not been used in a year (which has not), then the account should have been deleted which would correct the problem.

PayPal said that is not their policy and the Privacy Act prevents them from making any changes.

This is clearly a case where the company's policies are interfering with the rights of others.

What can I do about it?


Asked on 2/04/06, 2:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

Re: PayPal refuses to correct database per Privacy Rules

The only person who has a problem with privacy violations would be Diana. Diana is obviously not very attentive and probbly doesn't use her Paypal account, so it is none of your business. If you happen to have a current email address for her, you might contact her as a courtesy. You can also put Paypal on a spam filter or get rid of your hotmail address.

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Answered on 2/04/06, 2:24 pm


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