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The state of Florida has reportedly earned $63 million after selling what many people think is personal information – the names, addresses, dates of birth, and the vehicles driven of the state’s 15.5 million drivers. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, it’s totally legal.

Ann Howard of the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, says, “Per federal mandate, there are companies that are entitled to this information. Insurance companies, for example, are entitled to this information. Employers are entitled to this information.”

The state is currently selling the information to companies including Lexus Nexus and Shadow Soft. Those companies gather people’s data and sell it, but they must sign contracts with the state claiming they won’t harass people (sounds promising, doesn’t it?).

“This information cannot be sold to a company that plans to solicit business, such as companies that want you to come to their ice cream store or companies that want you to buy their vehicles,” Howard said.

Thankfully, the state doesn’t sell Social Security numbers or driver’s license numbers, but that doesn’t quell most citizens’ concerns.

“This is my own personal information, and I don’t think it should be out there,” said Florida resident John Platt.

The state said that selling the information is a matter of public safety – there are 15.5 million registered drivers in Florida, and the state charges companies 1 cent per electronic file. If a vehicle is recalled, the state has the most-recently-updated information on who owns those vehicles and can alert the manufacturer to notify the vehicle owners.

Interestingly, only judges and law enforcement officials can request that their personal information not be sold.

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Tags: florida, drivers, florida department of highway safety and motor vehicles
Categories: Stuff