Do you want to keep the NZTA's opt out?

[davereid]

Its possible to OPT-OUT of having the personal details the NZTA collect on you in the motor vehicle register being sold.

The opt-out was introduced after public concern that it enabled towies, dodgy car dealers, and general scumbags to find out a persons name and address, by filling out a form MR31.

Many vehicles were stolen by this mechanism, and there were rapes and even murders where the person was tracked down from the MVR record.

The NZTA are not enforcing the OPT-OUT. The MR31 is no longer available at the post-shop, and every application is supposed to be vetted, but this is not happening. They have declined only a handful of MR31 applications (less than ten out of tens of thousands of applications have been declined.)

Worse, they have given automatic MR31 approval (ie no vetting required) to a wide range of companies and individuals.

If you want the protection of the OPT OUT back, we need your help.

A simple email to info@nzta.govt.nz with OIA REQUEST in the subject line is a start.

Ask them how many MR31 requests (including preapproved electronic ones) have been made on opted out persons, and how many have resulted in the release of the information. If you aren't happy that they sell you personal details, or it means you don't trust them enough to use your main or real address, say so.

The NZTA don't think anyone is watching, and they don't think anyone cares. A few emails will be of immense importance in getting the opt out back.

Thanks

Dave

[davereid]

This is important guys.

ANYONE can get your name and address etc just from your number plate as long as they know how to do it.

And DOZENS of companies, many who may have dodgy employees have direct access, completely unchecked.

If you want the information the government force you to give them, kept confidential, send that email.

[James Deuce]

Done. Will let you know the results. Will be interesting to see if everyone gets the same answer.

[placidfemme]

Yup, also done. Will let you know if they bother to reply.

[James Deuce]

Just got a reply to say that they are processing the request.

[slofox]

Did this ages ago.

[placidfemme]

Just got a reply to say that they are processing the request.

Ditto


+10char

[mashman]

Done........

[rustic101]

I may have missed something but have they revoked this option to opt out???

Someone should let Fair Go know as they were very hot on this topic..

I'm not a media whore so 'bags not'.

[mashman]

It doesn't say anything about opting out, just that they'll think about wether or not they'll sell your details.

[Oblivion]

Isn't this an invasion of privacy kind of thing? AFAIK, No-where in the process of owning a vehicle does it say that you consent having your licence and rego details avaliable to be purchased?

[FJRider]

The opt-out was introduced after public concern that it enabled towies, dodgy car dealers, and general scumbags to find out a persons name and address, by filling out a form MR31.

Many vehicles were stolen by this mechanism, and there were rapes and even murders where the person was tracked down from the MVR record.

The NZTA are not enforcing the OPT-OUT. The MR31 is no longer available at the post-shop, and every application is supposed to be vetted, but this is not happening. They have declined only a handful of MR31 applications (less than ten out of tens of thousands of applications have been declined.)

It seems little thought has been given by any, as to the benefits of the system. If somebody wants to find out where your car (and you) live ... they just do it the hard way. By following you.
Some may just see it as a (possible) way of escaping parking tickets ... or the results of their actions in/on their vehicle.
If NZTA are not enforcing the Opt-out ... it's because they have no legal requirement to. Otherwise they would be.

[davereid]

It seems little thought has been given by any, as to the benefits of the system. If somebody wants to find out where your car (and you) live ... they just do it the hard way. By following you.
Some may just see it as a (possible) way of escaping parking tickets ... or the results of their actions in/on their vehicle.
If NZTA are not enforcing the Opt-out ... it's because they have no legal requirement to. Otherwise they would be.

No. Even if you have opted out of having your personal details being provided to private companies and individuals you were never able to opt out of having them available for law enforcement.

This is about the NZTA making them available to virtually anyone who asks, just like the old days. Fill out the MR31, pay the fee, get the details. Individuals have to state a reason for each application, but companies have been able to sate a 'generic reason' and thereafter all of there requests are automatically approved.

I have been sent figures that show over 30,000 MR31 requests have been made since the Opt-Out was introduced, and the NZTA have declined 9 of them.

Pretty clearly, that wasn't the intent of the opt out, and its obviously not working with those kind of numbers.

[FJRider]

No. Even if you have opted out of having your personal details being provided to private companies and individuals you were never able to opt out of having them available for law enforcement.

This is about the NZTA making them available to virtually anyone who asks, just like the old days. Fill out the MR31, pay the fee, get the details. Individuals have to state a reason for each application, but companies have been able to sate a 'generic reason' and thereafter all of there requests are automatically approved.

I have been sent figures that show over 30,000 MR31 requests have been made since the Opt-Out was introduced, and the NZTA have declined 9 of them.

Pretty clearly, that wasn't the intent of the opt out, and its obviously not working with those kind of numbers.

Any requests are in writing ... and they can be spoken to if said vehicle goes missing. Council parking enforcement departments have access ,as do many private parking places. Vehicle dealers have access to determine actual owners in the sale of a vehicle. And number of previous owners ... etc.

Does "The guy off the street" have access ... ???

The people that "opted out" are the only one's who think it isn't working ... (to the way they thought it would)

Has anybody that opted out ... have had their vehicle stolen, or privacy invaded. (What numbers have been been reported as such ... ???)

[davereid]

Any requests are in writing ... and they can be spoken to if said vehicle goes missing. Council parking enforcement departments have access ,as do many private parking places. Vehicle dealers have access to determine actual owners in the sale of a vehicle. And number of previous owners ... etc.

Does "The guy off the street" have access ... ???

The people that "opted out" are the only one's who think it isn't working ... (to the way they thought it would)

Has anybody that opted out ... have had their vehicle stolen, or privacy invaded. (What numbers have been been reported as such ... ???)

OK, one by one.

Any requests are in writing ... and they can be spoken to if said vehicle goes missing.
You have had to fill out an MR31 for years. In the case of the murder I mentioned it was the MR31 that linked the criminal to the victim. As it should have, as it how he found the victim.


Council parking enforcement departments have access ,as do many private parking places.
Councils etc have always and will always have access. Private parking companies appear to have access. Maybe they shouldn't. Winston in another thread described how this enabled his Father to track him and his Mother down and enforce some home justice.

Vehicle dealers have access to determine actual owners in the sale of a vehicle. And number of previous owners ....
The registered person is not the legal owner.

There is no relationship between the two.

Even if there were, a vehicle dealer (or anyone else) can check that the person offering to sell a vehicle is the registered person simply by checking here. https://transact.nzta.govt.nz/transa...son/entry.aspx.

Other services provide the vehicles ownership history, without disclosing the names of the owner. The dealer can still tell the number of owners, and if its been a taxi etc.


The issue is, hundreds of thousands of people opted out expecting it would improve their privacy, safety and security. And with only 9 out of 30,000+ queries declined by the NZTA its pretty clear thats not happening.

And if there is any contract that needs enforcing, hit and run accident damage etc, then its an enforcement issue, and all thats required to get the information for your insurer is a complaint to the police.