Proposed bill aims to give drivers the choice to prevent BMV from selling their personal information

Indiana Lawmaker Proposes Giving Drivers the Option to Protect Their Personal Information

A lawmaker in Indiana is advocating for a new measure that would allow drivers to choose whether or not the state can sell their personal information. This proposal aims to provide individuals with more control over their privacy and safeguard their sensitive data from being disseminated without consent.

Currently, when individuals obtain a driver’s license in Indiana, their personal information, including their name, address, and driver’s license number, is collected by the state. This data is then sold to third parties, such as marketers and data brokers, who use it for various purposes, often without the drivers’ knowledge or permission.

However, under the proposed legislation, drivers would have the ability to opt out of this data sharing practice. By exercising this option, they would effectively prevent the state from selling their personal information, thereby safeguarding their privacy and ensuring that their data remains confidential.

The lawmaker behind this initiative believes that individuals should have the right to control their personal information and decide how it is used. By giving drivers the choice to opt out, this legislation aims to empower individuals and put them in charge of their own data.

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Privacy concerns have become increasingly prominent in today’s digital age, where personal information is often treated as a commodity. With the proliferation of data breaches and incidents of unauthorized data sharing, it is imperative for individuals to have the ability to protect their sensitive information.

If this legislation is enacted, Indiana would join several other states that have already implemented similar measures to safeguard individuals’ personal data. These privacy protection laws aim to give individuals more control over their personal information and ensure that it is not exploited without their consent.

In conclusion, the proposed legislation in Indiana seeks to provide drivers with the option to protect their personal information by opting out of the state’s data sharing practices. By empowering individuals to make choices about their own data, this measure aims to safeguard privacy and give individuals more control over their personal information.

Indiana Representative Greg Porter, a Democrat from Indianapolis, has introduced House Bill 1100 to prevent the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) from selling driver data for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as teenagers under the age of 21.

“We are committed to safeguarding the identity and credit of Hoosiers,” stated Porter. “When individuals obtain a driver’s license, their personal information is being sold.”

Porter introduced HB 1100 as a direct response to a WRTV Investigation, which uncovered that the BMV has generated a staggering $263 million over the past decade (2012-2023) by selling driver information.

Porter explained to WRTV Investigates reporter Kara Kenney that the legislation was filed in response to their conversations and her reporting from last year.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has come under scrutiny for making millions of dollars by selling individuals’ personal information.

Porter’s bill would enable the state Board of Finance to address any funding deficits that may arise due to the legislation by transferring funds to the BMV.

According to Porter, safeguarding the identity of Hoosiers doesn’t require a significant amount of money.

Your personal information, such as your name, current address, past addresses, date of birth, make and model of your car, plate number, VIN, purchase date, driver record, and license type, can be bought and sold.

Prompted by our investigative reporting, a new state law has been enacted that mandates the BMV to disclose the allocation of funds generated from the sale of driver data.

The BMV has recently released a comprehensive 5-page report, providing valuable insights into the projected revenue generated from data sales. According to the report, the BMV is expected to earn $15,543,076, while the Indiana Office of Technology is projected to receive $10,109,337 in 2023. To access the full report, please refer to the link provided at the bottom of this article.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the higher totals,” expressed Scott Shackelford, an esteemed cybersecurity expert and professor of business law and ethics at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. “It’s quite a substantial sum of money.”

Who can purchase it?

WRTV Investigates has received feedback from dissatisfied viewers, including Susan from Allen County. According to Susan, she came across an article that lacked an opt-out option and was never informed about it.

The BMV is not obligated to inform you about the legality of the practice.

Susan expressed her dissatisfaction by stating, “I am not pleased.”

The Roads and Transportation committee has been assigned the bill.

I reached out to the chairman of the committee, Rep. Jim Pressel, and I am still awaiting a response.

WRTV contacted the BMV to gather their perspective on the bill.

Melissa Hook, a spokesperson for BMV, declined to comment on the pending legislation in an email response to WRTV.