Eshoo Leads House Colleagues, State Legislators in Seeking Answers from California DMV About Data Privacy Practices

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) led eight House colleagues and two California state legislators in writing to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to inquire about its data privacy and security practices. The lawmakers’ letter seeks answers about the DMV’s disclosure of drivers’ data to third parties and whether driver photos are used in facial recognition searches conducted by law enforcement.

“We’re troubled by press reports about the California DMV’s disclosure of vast quantities of data which could enable invasive biometric policing and be a symptom of a deeper privacy malady,” the lawmakers wrote. “What information is being sold, to whom it is sold, and what guardrails are associated with the sale remain unclear.”

Press reports indicate that the California DMV receives more than $50 million annually from selling the personal information of Californians. Academics and civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about the disclosure of DMV data and the use of facial recognition searches of driver’s license photos in policing.

In addition to Rep. Eshoo, the letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Judy Chu (CA-27), Mike Thompson (CA-5), Jerry McNerney (CA-9), and J. Luis Correa (CA-46). The letter was also signed by California Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin (AD-22) and Assemblymember Mark Stone (AD-29). 

The full letter can be found HERE.