Florida reaped $73 million selling personal data.

• Position: PRIVACY - Brief article

The state of Florida made $73 million between July 2010 and June 2011 by selling individuals' driver's license data to private companies, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The Miami Herald reported that state officials have confirmed the sale of personal information of Florida's 15.5 million licensed drivers as a source of revenue for the state.

Florida has sold the data, which includes names, addresses, birthdates, and genders, for years. According to The Herald, the information has been purchased by auto manufacturers who need to tell customers about recalls and insurance companies that want the data for underwriting purposes.

But others, notably the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), are concerned about the transactions and...