Hertz: Accessing Driving Records through Government Computers

In 1992, Hertz, Avis, and other car rental companies began using electronic links to government computers to check driving records of potential renters. The screening takes only seconds and permits the companies to turn away 6 to 10 percent of the people who want cars. The system transmits the renter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number to a central computer that retrieves driving records from the motor vehicle department of the appropriate state. A computer program analyzes the data based on the rental car company's criteria and returns a pass or reject rating. Avis gives the clerk no other information because they don't want to get involved in the problem. Some consumer advocates have argued that data errors will cause some unfair denials. Others argue that anyone with a valid license should be able to rent a car, but rental car companies respond that there is no legal right to rent a car.

Questions:

1. Use the WCA framework to organize your understanding of this case and to identify important topics that are not mentioned.

2. Identify other areas in which systems similar to this might be used.

3. Explain why you do or do not believe systems of this general type infringe unfairly on personal privacy.

Source: Wald, Matthew L. "Car-Rental Computers Rejecting High-Risk Drivers." New York Times, Sept. 9, 1993, p. A1.

Back to Useful Cases from Previous Editions

Main Page About the Book Student Resources Instructor Resources Contact Us