Florida Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Stop State Selling Driver Data

Hidden Data Market in Florida

• 💡 A new bill, HB 357, known as the Motor Vehicle Operator Privacy Act, aims to stop Florida's "hidden data market."
• 💰 Over the past decade, Florida has generated nearly $490 million by selling driver's license and ID card information.

Data Sales and Lack of Consent

• 📌 The data sold includes names, addresses, birth dates, and license numbers.
• 🎯 Buyers have included data brokers, insurance companies, and even foreign-owned firms.
• 🗣️ Constituents have reported individuals knocking on their doors shortly after receiving a speeding ticket, indicating their personal information was shared.
• ⚠️ This practice has been ongoing for decades, with few Floridians aware that their personal data was part of the cost of their license.

Previous Revelations and Proposed Protections

• 🔍 In 2019, it was revealed that the state sold data to over 30 private companies, earning over $77 million in fiscal year 2017 alone, with records sometimes selling for as little as a penny.
• 🚫 Representative Peggy Gossit Sidman's bill proposes to ban all commercial sales of driver information.
• 🔒 It would also prohibit foreign and foreign-owned entities from accessing Florida driver data and require written consent for any non-law enforcement data sharing.
• 📊 The bill includes provisions for annual oversight reports and penalties for violators.

Legislative Hurdles and Future Outlook

• 🤝 The lawmaker has spoken with leadership, including Speaker Perez and the governor's office, who have shown interest in the bill.
• ⚠️ However, the bill currently lacks a Senate sponsor and the restrictions could lead to significant loss of state revenue.
• ⏳ It remains unclear what will happen when the legislative session begins in January, and the Department of Motor Vehicles has not yet commented on the legislation.