RivCo Sheriff’s Department ‘Demands’ Investigation Of State DOJ
The demand by the sheriff’s department follows a data breach of California’s concealed carry weapon permit applicants.
Toni McAllister,Patch Staff
Posted Thu, Jun 30, 2022 at 12:31 pm PTReply (1)
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is demanding “a detailed and thorough investigation” of the California Department of Justice to determine how and why a data breach allowed the release of personal information about people who have applied for a permit to carry a concealed weapon in the county.
On Wednesday, the state DOJ’s office announced the breach involved all Californians who were granted or denied a concealed and carry weapons permit between 2011-2021. The exposed personal information includes names, dates of birth, gender, race, driver’s license numbers, addresses, and criminal history, according to the state agency. Social Security numbers and financial information were not breached, the agency reported.
The breach was connected to a Monday update of the state DOJ’s Firearms Dashboard Portal, and other state databases were also impacted, according to the agency. Data from the Assault Weapon Registry, Handguns Certified for Sale, Dealer Record of Sale, Firearm Safety Certificate, and Gun Violence Restraining Order dashboards were also hit, but the state DOJ is continuing to investigate how much personal information from those portals was exposed.
“Although we did not have any control over the information released, this data leak is concerning to us and we take it very seriously,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday in a released statement. “… we are committed to holding DOJ accountable by demanding reassurance and a prevention plan that our citizens will not be endangered by future criminal or negligent data leaks.”
According to the sheriff’s department, the information was copied and posted on the internet for others to see.
The sheriff’s department processes concealed carry permits for residents who live in unincorporated areas and in contract cities.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday that he has launched an investigation into the breach that he characterized as “unacceptable and falls far short” of his expectations.
“The California Department of Justice is entrusted to protect Californians and their data,” Bonta said. “We acknowledge the stress this may cause those individuals whose information was exposed. I am deeply disturbed and angered.”
In the coming days, the state DOJ will notify people whose personal information was breached, according to Bonta. The DOJ will also provide credit monitoring services for those affected, he said. People who were possibly exposed are urged to monitor their credit, and consider placing a fraud alert and a free credit freeze on their credit reports.
The sheriff’s department is referring anyone who has concerns about the release of their personal information to the California Department of Justice here.
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