Seems plausible - they accidentally created 9 PDF files, accidentally uploaded them to a new page in their CMS which they accidentally created, on which they accidentally wrote instructions on how to search through the PDF file to find your (or your ex-wife/stalkee's) name/plate.
No clear signs of intent that publishing names linked to plates was exactly what they set out to do...
Well, it's obvious their intent was that you could find whether or not you were owed money by searching for your license plate or name. You weren't supposed to search for someone else's licence plate or name.
Of course someone should have noticed that you can do that, and that it's bad for privacy, but didn't. That's the problem.
Wow. Didn't think it could be real, but sure enough my girlfriend's old plate is listed. That's pretty disgusting, SFMTA.
Edit
We just went through the process to claim the $125 through "surveygizmo.com". At the end it says "A customer service representative will review your information and respond to you within 21 days. If a refund is identified a check will be processed within 30 days"
Unfortunately, no. There was no rhyme or reason to the way that they formatted the names. I guess I could implement a fuzzy search, but I'm still at work.
And here's the federal law on DMV record privacy. This would be a legal release of information, unfortunately (government agency "carrying out its functions"):
17 comments
[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 64.5 ms ] threadNo clear signs of intent that publishing names linked to plates was exactly what they set out to do...
Of course someone should have noticed that you can do that, and that it's bad for privacy, but didn't. That's the problem.
http://gizmodo.com/5853927/the-real-reason-steve-jobs-benz-d...
I don't know if there was anything about parking fines involved; I doubt the guy was particularly concerned about them.
Edit
We just went through the process to claim the $125 through "surveygizmo.com". At the end it says "A customer service representative will review your information and respond to you within 21 days. If a refund is identified a check will be processed within 30 days"
http://sfmtarefund.com
https://www.privacyrights.org/cradle-grave-government-record...
And here's the federal law on DMV record privacy. This would be a legal release of information, unfortunately (government agency "carrying out its functions"):
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2721