Oregon AG outlines RadioShack consumer privacy settlement

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Wednesday a settlement regarding RadioShack’s proposed bankruptcy sale of its customers’ personally identifiable information to General Wireless.

A coalition of 38 states had opposed the sale of consumer data. The settlement agreement provides that most of RadioShack’s consumer data will be destroyed. No credit or debit card account numbers, Social Security numbers or phone numbers will be transferred to General Wireless.

The settlement also requires General Wireless to give Radio Shack customers the opportunity to opt out of the sale of their email addresses and other information. Details concerning the opt out procedures will be sent by email to those customers whose email addresses remain part of the sale. Affected customers will also be able to opt out using the Radio Shack website or a toll free phone number.

“I am pleased that Oregon took a leadership role in this national settlement to insure Radio Shack customers’ personal information will be adequately protected,” said Rosenblum. “The terms of the sale prevent the transfer of the most sensitive customer information and provide a way for customers to prevent future use by General Wireless of other identifying information, such as email addresses.”

For those customers whose information is ultimately transferred, General Wireless has agreed that it will not sell the information unless the affected customers affirmatively agree to a new privacy policy allowing the sale of their information.

Oregonians with questions about this settlement are encouraged to contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 877-877-9392.