A nearly two-month long Action News Jax investigation exposed that the Florida DMV is selling your personal information to make a profit.
Now, Sen. Bill Nelson is asking the Department of Justice to get involved to see if this is legal.
In one year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles made $73.7 million by selling drivers' personal information, including name and address.
"I’m not against them getting some revenue, but I have to know the details," driver Mike McGowan said.
Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said just because the department said it is legal under state law, it doesn’t make it right.
On Friday, Sen. Nelson asked the federal government to investigate the state to see if it’s violating laws under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act.
"It's not something that I’m comfortable with so I’m glad it will be investigated," driver Bethany Morgan said.
The federal law in place prohibits companies from accessing personal data for marketing purposes without express consent.
Some drivers said that consent wouldn’t be given.
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"I wouldn't want anyone knowing where I live, my family lives, that's dangerous with all the stuff that's going on right now," Jacksonville resident Briana Middleton said.
Terry L. Rhodes, executive director for Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sent Action News Jax a statement Friday:
“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) does not sell driver or motor vehicle information. Driver or motor vehicle information is produced as required by the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Florida’s public records laws.”
However, in our Action News Jax investigation, we found that 84 vendors were buying personal information
And the department said the information such as your name, address and driving record is public record and that’s why it’s sold.
"Should they be the ones to determine? I say no,” Carson said.
A spokeswoman with the department said information being sold isn’t allowed for marketing purposes..
Carson said there’s no real way to monitor if that is happening.
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