U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today questioned Richard Smith, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Equifax Inc., about the recent data breach that exposed the personal information of 143 million Americans.  

Information taken from the Equifax system included names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses, and in some cases, driver’s license data. In addition, more than 200,000 people had their credit card information stolen. The hearing took place during a Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection (DCCP) hearing focused on getting answers for consumers about the breach. 

Click HERE to watch the exchange.

Background: In 1999, Upton voted in support of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), which required financial institutions to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of consumer information, and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.