The names, addresses and license types of all concealed carry permit holders in California were exposed after the state Justice Department suffered a data breach, authorities said Tuesday.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office learned of the breach Tuesday from the California State Sheriff’s Association, according to a statement.
The breach occurred as part of the Justice Department’s launch of its 2022 Firearms Dashboard Portal, the sheriff’s office said in the statement.
"This public site allows access to certain information, however, personal information of Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit holders is not supposed to be visible," the agency said.
The personal information included, but was not limited to, a person's name, age, address, Criminal Identification Index number and license type, according to the sheriff's office.
"This pertains to all California CCW holders, including Fresno County residents," the agency added.
The Justice Department pulled the dashboard site down, along with all related links, after it learned of the breach, the sheriff's office said.
However, officials warned, "portions of private information may have been posted on social media websites." The sheriff's office said it was not known exactly how long the information was accessible.
The state attorney general's office said it was investigating.
"Any unauthorized release of personal information is unacceptable," it said, adding that it was "working swiftly to address the situation" and that it would provide more information as soon as possible.
The sheriff’s office said the attorney general's office planned to contact permit holders directly to advise them. The agency said there were plans to institute a program to reduce any harm or damage to permit holders.
The sheriff's office urged people who learn their identity were compromised to make online reports.
