Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) is calling for an investigation into reports that the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is selling motorists’ personal information to direct mail and ad agencies for profit. Brabenec and a number of other legislators have put together a petition calling on Gov. Cuomo to suspend this practice and come clean about who is purchasing this data. By selling registration information including dates of birth, home addresses, and vehicle information, the DMV made an estimated $60 million last year.

“The DMV’s practice of handling our personal information as a commodity and not a human right is underhanded and abusive,” said Brabenec. “Currently, we have no way of knowing what companies are buying this data, what it’s being used for, and Gov. Cuomo has refused to work with us to get the information New Yorkers deserve. This quick cash scheme cannot be allowed to fly under the radar any longer, and I’m going to pursue every avenue to get to the bottom of this.”

Editors Note: Sign the petition to stop DMV from selling private info.