By: Linda L. Goodman
The State of Maine has taken a huge step to protect consumers and their data last week when they passed a bill that would ban internet providers from using or selling consumer browsing history and other data without prior consumer consent.
The bill requires that the users provide consent before providers can use, disclose, and sell consumer data that includes browsing habits, geolocation information, financial data and health data. The goal of this bill is to restore broadband privacy protections issued by the FCC that was nullified in 2017.
There is a narrow list of exceptions that internet service providers can still process consumer data without getting the consumer’s consent to include necessary purposes to providing users internet access, to market the provider’s own products and to comply with court orders.
This bill is slated to take effect on July 1, 2020, if signed by the Governor.
The opponents of this bill argue that internet providers are being unfairly singled out while the law does not apply to online giants that sweep up data like Facebook and Google.
Privacy advocates are praising this bold step by Maine because it offers the most stringent privacy protections in the nation by allowing the consumers to have the right to opt-in.
For more information and to view the full bill, go to the website here:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0275&item=1&snum=129
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This article is a publication of The Goodman Law Firm and is intended to provide information on recent legal developments. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor should it be construed as legal advice or an opinion on specific situations. This may constitute “Attorney Advertising” under the Rules of Professional Conduct and under the law of other jurisdictions.
Linda L. Goodman is the founder of The Goodman Law Firm, concentrating its practice in internet business and law. Her firm’s clients include Advertisers, Affiliates, Affiliate Networks, and ISP’s.
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