A few days ago, the “Florida Man” challenge swept the Internet. A simple enough concept: Google the phrase “Florida Man” and your birthdate, then tell your friends what ridiculous piece of crime news comes up. It, like most social media phenomenon, was fleeting, funny, and probably will end up with bad actors gaining access to your personal information. Did you ever wonder why “Florida Man” is a thing, however?
It’s not just because people in Florida are lunatics. It’s because of the “Sunshine Act” and Florida’s dedication to sweeping public records law. Unlike Massachusetts, which has some of the nation’s most restrictive records access, Florida lets it all out.