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Rebecca Schaeffer’s parents Benson and Danna Schaeffer during the court hearing in 1991
© Kevork djansezian / Picture Alliance
The 1991 murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer spurred meaningful changes to privacy laws regarding personal information. A California court sentenced Robert John Bardo, a stalker who had relentlessly pursued Schaeffer, to life in prison without parole on December 17, 1991, for the shooting death of the 21-year-old actress outside her apartment building in Los Angeles.
Bardo obtained Schaeffer’s address through a private investigator who illegally accessed records from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).Prior to the tragedy, obtaining such information was relatively easy, raising concerns about the vulnerability of public figures and private citizens alike. The case highlighted a critical gap in legal protections surrounding personal data.
In response, the United States Congress passed the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in 1994. This federal law restricts access to personal information held by state DMVs, prohibiting the release of records without consent, except for legitimate purposes outlined in the act, such as government agencies, law enforcement, and certain businesses with a permissible use.The DPPA carries civil and criminal penalties for violations, including fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.
“The changes in the law according to Rebecca’s murder were in a way comforting,” Rebecca’s father, Benson Schaeffer, shared in a 20/20 interview. However
