FWC defends probing activists’ personal records. Here’s what to know

Florida’s wildlife agency is standing by its use of a criminal-investigation database to look up personal information on activists who criticized its policies. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the searches were done for “public safety purposes,” but activists say they never made threats and are considering legal action.

Read more Venezuelan informant says U.S. broke promises after he exposed $1.2B oil fraud

FULL STORY: FWC stands by decision to probe activists’ personal information

Here are key takeaways:

• The FWC confirmed it used the Driver and Vehicle Information Database, known as DAVID, to pull records on 12 people who criticized agency policies, including a controversial bear hunt. The database contains Social Security numbers, addresses, medical-disability records and signatures.
• Although FWC analysts listed “criminal investigation” as the reason for accessing records, the agency now says no one probed is under criminal investigation. The FWC says the searches were tied to “credible threats” and public safety planning around commission meetings.
• Sandy Moise, a 60-year-old Miami-Dade educator, said the agency had “no legitimate official purpose” to access her records and that she never made threats. She has a long history of advocating for environmental causes, including the rookery of Biscayne Bay.
• Katrina Shadix, an anti-bear-hunt activist near Orlando, learned through a public-records request that the FWC accessed her DAVID information 17 times between 2023 and 2025. She is working on a lawsuit against the agency.
• Brent Fannin, who first discovered the searches, said many activists whose records were pulled have never attended FWC meetings. He is leading an effort to reform how the governor appoints FWC commissioners.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

Read more Haitians face deportation when TPS ends. Here’s what to know