CA DMV Makes $50 Million A Year Selling Drivers' Info: Report

CALIFORNIA — The California Department of Motor Vehicles has earned $50 million a year in revenue by selling drivers’ personal information, according to reports.

VICE Media obtained a DMV document in a public record acts request that revealed revenue was generated by selling information — such as names, physical address and car registration information — to private companies.

DMVs nationwide are selling data that drivers are required to provide in order to obtain a license, VICE reported. However, California generally scrutinizes privacy more than the rest of the county, the news website said.

The document didn't name specific companies, but said it may include insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, and prospective employers, Fox 11 reported.

Data broker LexisNexis and Experian, a consumer credit reporting agency, were active participants in buying data per past investigations, Fox 11 reported.

Marty Greenstein, public information officer at the California DMV, told Vice its sales further objectives related to highway and public safety, "including availability of insurance, risk assessment, vehicle safety recalls, traffic studies, emissions research, background checks, and for pre- and existing employment purposes."