FasTrak Loses the Big Brother Tag

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger may not have a budget to sign but that doesn't mean he can't sign other bills.

The governor lent his signature to a measure that aims to justify the high tolls -- at least in part -- Bay Area drivers pay when crossing local bridges.

SB 1268 makes it so FasTrak users' driving habits remain private. Under Sen. Joe Simitian's bill, makes it illegal for transportation agencies to sell driver information and fines them if they do.

FasTrak is now also required to notify drivers of the company's privacy practices.

The Palo Alto-based senator told the Associated Press he introduced the measure because "relatively obscure transportation agencies have personal data and  travel histories for well over a million Californians."

FasTrak use is up slightly in the Bay Area partly because studies show it is quicker when crossing bridges such as the Bay Bridge.

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