Recently, the Voteref website, supported by the right organization, opened free access to personal information about millions of US citizens. This includes details such as address, age, party affiliation, and participation in elections. This access is not limited to just ordinary citizens but also extends to famous personalities, victims of crimes, and other vulnerable groups.
In the United States, electoral lists are typically considered publicly available, but usually individuals need to request this information from state bodies. However, the Voteref website simplifies this process, allowing users to instantly access the necessary information by simply entering the name or address of the target.
Some screenshots from the Voteref website (Source: 404 media) have raised concerns over potential misuse of this data for doxing and persecution.
Voteref is operated by the Voter Reference Foundation, a right-leaning organization that previously supported Donald Trump’s campaign. While the organization initially aimed to identify voting violations, audits revealed inaccuracies in their conclusions. Social media users have already begun using Voteref data to spread misinformation about elections.
The website is gradually adding data from new states, with entries from most states currently available except for states like California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Authorities in Pennsylvania have ordered the removal of data from the website.
Although Voteref claims to aim at increasing interest in elections, critics argue that the publication of personal data without consent raises significant privacy concerns. Experts are calling for a revision of confidentiality laws to prevent potential threats and persecution stemming from online access to personal data.