i don't feel the need for a gov't ok to exercise a right and i don't think that if/what/when i exercise my rights is the business of a gov't hack.
However,
there are no personal information secrets in todays world and the gov't has my prints/pics multiple times for pd, fd, gov't job applications (security clearance checks), private job apps requiring background checks and professional license apps to name a few.
if you purchase from a dealer they have personal info, and i have found some good deals at dealers that i did not want to pass up.
SO, since i decided that i was going to carry anyway and they already had more info on me than they ever needed, i opted to get the permit years ago. i don't have the wait (5 days in PB county) when i buy from a dealer, i can carry in FL AND numerous other reciprocal states.
Other than providing more copies of info that the gov't already has several times over and feeling like my rights were violated because a gov't functionary required that info for the exercise of my rights, i haven't seen a down side.
if you are going to carry or you travel, DO IT. The fight for 'paperless carry' can continue.