4 ms·
In theory it is not sold to the public. In practice, it isn't hard for motivated members of the public to figure out how to get access. I personally know some
by btilly 6y ago
In theory it is not sold to the public. In practice, it isn't hard for motivated members of the public to figure out how to get access.
I personally know someone who was a victim of stalking back in the 90s. Her stalker managed to find out where she lived by getting it from the California DMV. The only way she found to block it was to move and have her car owned by someone else so that there would be no DMV record.
The result is that while this is not new, it really should be a story.
- giantg2 6y agoIt's also not that hard to get the information from other sources too. If your scenario happened in the 90s, it might have been before the DPPA law took effect. The author has a clear bias and is using an event that took place before the protections were in place to further their agenda.
- btilly 6y agoIt would have been before DPPA. However social engineers have no problem getting information. And private investigators are easy for anyone to hire. I doubt that the DPPA will slow a dedicated stalker much.
- vajrabum 6y agoThe law restricts the public from getting this information precisely because of stalking. The Drivers Privacy Protection Act was passed in 1994.
- joshuaheard 6y agoCalifornia has a similar restriction on real property ownership public records. Private records can still be obtained.
- coffeemaniac 6y agoJust in case the info is useful for anybody, there are some other ways around this if you're willing to go to the trouble of re-titling the vehicle into a trust or LLC. But due to vehicle history records it's still hit-or-miss.
- nikonyrh 6y agoOddly in Finland the full name, address and phone number corresponding to a car's registration plate is public information. But a full data dump isn't available. You must query them one-by-one for a fee of a few euros (I think).