According to KTVU, the State of California is making a tidy profit from selling your information to private companies, such as insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, and prospective employers. The information includes names, addresses, and car registration information. I'm sure California isn't alone in this. -- KTVU
Not really. You probably signed a form at some point not realizing what it was asking. Same is true of banks, credit cards, utility companies and lots of other companies, especially online. They aren't really selling what the courts would consider 'personal' information, like your doctor or lawyer would have. It is information which is sold in different formats to companies, such as AARP, or to marketing firms, mail or telemarketing. It's not really considered a scam, it's just business. It's the way the world works.
But this is not the business world. This is a government agency. What gives them the right to sell your info without telling you?
I imagine a form was signed at some point allowing them too. It would just be worded differently and no one reads that stuff. Plus, what is anyone going to do about it? You can't sue the government without their permission. I imagine more states than California are doing this. Wonder if it will make national news?
Like TV adverts, if I am targeted by companies who have obtained my location I make a point of not buying their product. Reliable retailers sell through recommendation. Advertisers test their credibility by statistics like,'Recommended by 67 of the 100 questioned.'
There are no constitutional laws protecting your personal privacy at all. This has long been a festering subject, yet, Congress will not address it at all.