The names, date of birth, addresses, driver's license number, and criminal history of Californians who were granted or denied a concealed and carry weapons (CCW) permit between 2011-2021 were exposed this week, the state’s Department of Justice confirmed.
Authorities said the data breach came after the June 27 update of its Firearms Dashboard Portal. The Social Security numbers or any financial information of impacted individuals remained undisclosed. Data from several other firearm dashboards were impacted, but the DOJ said an investigation is underway to determine to which extent.
“This unauthorized release of personal information is unacceptable and falls far short of my expectations for this department,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I immediately launched an investigation into how this occurred at the California Department of Justice and will take strong corrective measures where necessary.”
The personal information of individuals was accessible in a spreadsheet on the portal and was available for less than 24 hours. The department said it took steps to remove the information from public view and shut down the Firearms Dashboard yesterday morning.
Law enforcement agencies and those whose personal information was exposed will be notified by the DOJ in the following days to provide additional information and resources. Additionally, the state department said “out of an abundance of caution”, it will provide credit monitoring services for individuals whose data was exposed as a result of this incident and provide instruction to those impacted.
“The California Department of Justice is entrusted to protect Californians and their data. We acknowledge the stress this may cause those individuals whose information was exposed. I am deeply disturbed and angered,” Bonta said.
