NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsSeptember 14, 2026Hillsborough County
International Criminal Group Hacks Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Photo: ABC Action News (WFTS) — News
An international criminal organization breached the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles using improperly stored employee login credentials, according to a state statement released Friday. Officials stated the breach was mitigated and is no longer ongoing, though the exact number of affected drivers and exposed information remain unclear.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsWhy It Matters
Personal driver information managed by the state may have been accessed by unauthorized individuals in a security breach, though state officials have not specified the scope of the exposed data.
Key Facts
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles experienced a data breach discovered on Sept. 4.
- Officials attribute the breach to an international criminal organization, which has not been publicly identified.
- Hackers gained access using a Plant City police employee's login information that was improperly stored on a personal device.
- State officials stated the data breach was quickly mitigated and is no longer ongoing.
- It remains unclear how many drivers were affected and what specific information was exposed.
- The FLHSMV is partnering with the Florida Digital Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the response.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles“State agency that experienced the data breach”locationPlant City“Location of the police employee whose login information was used”OrganizationFlorida Department of Law Enforcement“Partnering with FLHSMV in the criminal investigation”OrganizationFlorida Digital Service“Partnering with FLHSMV in the response to the data breach”