Florida DMV Sold 31 Million Records to Outside Vendors
When you apply for a driver’;s license in Florida, the records, including your name, address, and Social Security number are supposed to be kept private by the state. The Palm Beach Post News reports that a lawsuit maybe filed against Florida over the sale of personal information to a private third party company. A federal judge has ruled the violation could become a class action lawsuit because so many people were affected — approximately 31 million driver’s license records were sold. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles allegedly sold the personal information to an internet marketing company, Shadowsoft, which then passed the information onto other marketers.
The sales took place between 2005 and 2009 and are a violation of a federal ban on releasing personal information. Anyone whose rights have been violated can become a member of the class a judge in Tallahassee ruled in November. The extent of damage to each individual who had their personal information released will have to be determined before they can join the class and the amount of award is decided.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is the same state agency that carefully tracks the number of traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents in the state every year. Data from FLHSMV finds that roadway fatalities decreased 14 percent in the state between 2008 and 2009, resulting in 2,563 deaths, the fourth consecutive year of decline in traffic fatalities.
Farah & Farah is a law firm serving clients across Florida and South Georgia who have been injured in an auto, trucking, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accidents. A free consultation with one of our experienced Florida personal injury attorneys can be arranged at any time. Call us today at 800-533-3555.
