Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling for an immediate end to the Department of Motor Vehicles’(DMV) practice of selling personal information to third parties. It was discovered that the DMV made more than $60 million selling private information like names, ages, driving records and insurance information.

“The DMV’s policy of selling New Yorkers’ private information to third parties is deplorable and a breach of trust; it must end now,” said Blankenbush. “I am troubled that we do not know who is getting this information or for what purpose. This has put everyone at risk for identity theft. I support a bill that would require an individual’s consent before such details are shared. We each have a right to privacy, and the DMV and all state agencies need to respect that.”

The bill that Blankenbush supports is A.2509, which is currently awaiting action in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. The bill would limit use of a driver’s personal information for the issuance of manufacturer warranties, safety recalls or similar notices. The bill also requires that drivers be notified of the sale of information and that they must be given the opportunity to opt out.