http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/...-For-Dumping-Hazardous-Waste-User-Info-135897
Comcast is facing a double whammy in the state of California after the company was fined for both improperly dumping hazardous waste, and improperly dumping documents that contained private customer information. According to a complaint (pdf) filed last week by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Comcast spent the last ten years illegally dumping hazardous waste products includingremote controls, modems, power adapters and batteries in local landfills that were not permitted to receive these items.
The complaint also notes that Comcast has spent just as long dumping un-shredded and unredacted subscriber information, opening the door to identity theft.
Comcast has reached a $26 million settlement (pdf) with the state, including $1.6 million to provide lab equipment for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and $2.25 million in Comcast-funded public service announcements about proper handling of hazardous waste. Comcast also needs to spend at least $700,000 to enhance its environmental compliance policies.
“Comcast’s careless and unlawful hazardous waste disposal practices jeopardized the health and environmental well-being of California communities and exposed their customers to the threat of identity theft," said Harris in a prepared statement.
Comcast's behavior is not unique. AT&T was fined $24 million for improperly dumping waste last year. Similarly un-shredded, confidential subscriber records from Canadian cable operator Rogers were found strewn around a parking lot back in 2007.
“We’re pleased to bring this matter from 2012 to a close and remain committed to the highest standards of environmental compliance," a Comcast spokesman said in a statement.
Comcast is facing a double whammy in the state of California after the company was fined for both improperly dumping hazardous waste, and improperly dumping documents that contained private customer information. According to a complaint (pdf) filed last week by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Comcast spent the last ten years illegally dumping hazardous waste products includingremote controls, modems, power adapters and batteries in local landfills that were not permitted to receive these items.
The complaint also notes that Comcast has spent just as long dumping un-shredded and unredacted subscriber information, opening the door to identity theft.
Comcast has reached a $26 million settlement (pdf) with the state, including $1.6 million to provide lab equipment for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and $2.25 million in Comcast-funded public service announcements about proper handling of hazardous waste. Comcast also needs to spend at least $700,000 to enhance its environmental compliance policies.
“Comcast’s careless and unlawful hazardous waste disposal practices jeopardized the health and environmental well-being of California communities and exposed their customers to the threat of identity theft," said Harris in a prepared statement.
Comcast's behavior is not unique. AT&T was fined $24 million for improperly dumping waste last year. Similarly un-shredded, confidential subscriber records from Canadian cable operator Rogers were found strewn around a parking lot back in 2007.
“We’re pleased to bring this matter from 2012 to a close and remain committed to the highest standards of environmental compliance," a Comcast spokesman said in a statement.
