Your data is safe

The Erie County Legislature has approval legislation that will force the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to comply with regulations that enable drivers to protect the confidentiality of their personal information.

"Only in Albany could we find a state agency purposefully and willfully ignoring a state law that would protect New York residents, without any repercussions," said New York State Senator Chris Jacobs.  "This legislation mandates that DMV will clearly and prominently place opt-out information on all its forms, as well as its website, and it is a positive first step in rectifying this situation."

While serving as Erie County Clerk, Jacobs discovered that the DMV had been selling the personal data of New York State drivers to private companies and reaping millions in profit.  Further investigation revealed the agency had been ignoring a state law that required they allow drivers the opportunity to protect their privacy by refusing to provide opt-out information on their forms.  

The Senator said the primary motivation for pushing for the bill's passage was that beyond the unwelcome intrusion from solicitors and advertisers who purchase these lists and then inundate people with barrages of phone calls, mail and electronic communications, a safety factor exists.