Maine Governor Signs Bill Banning ISPs From Selling Consumer Data Without Consent (thehill.com) 24
Maine Governor Janet Mills has signed a law banning internet service providers from using, selling, or distributing consumer data without their content. The Hill reports: The Act to Protect the Privacy of Online Consumer Information would prohibit any ISPs in Maine from refusing to serve a customer, penalizing them or offering a discount in order to pressure consumers into allowing the ISP to sell their data. The law will take effect on July 1. Mills described the new law as "common sense," adding that "Maine people value their privacy, online and off." "The internet is a powerful tool, and as it becomes increasingly intertwined with our lives, it is appropriate to take steps to protect the personal information and privacy of Maine people," Mills said in a statement. "With this common-sense law, Maine people can access the internet with the knowledge and comfort that their personal information cannot be bought or sold by their ISPs without their express approval."
Some privacy activists say the Maine law is even stronger than the law California passed last year because it mandates that ISPs require explicit consent from customers to sell their personal data, while the California law requires consumers to request that their data not be sold by their own volition.
Some privacy activists say the Maine law is even stronger than the law California passed last year because it mandates that ISPs require explicit consent from customers to sell their personal data, while the California law requires consumers to request that their data not be sold by their own volition.
Easy to work around (Score:2, Interesting)
Just add a clause to the unread contract every customer is forced to sign that agrees to selling customer data. Especially easy since most allow updates without continued intervention/explicit approval by the customer.
Re: (Score:2)
The Europeans were smart enough to add a clause saying "without a legitimate reason".
Somebody going to your house to install something obviously has a legitimate reason to have your personal info (for a while at least).
Re: Easy to work around (Score:1)
Even with opt out there usually exist exemptions for âoepartners.â
I usually opt out of my credit card companies sharing data, but that is pretty minimal in terms of impact. Buying and selling of the cattle is pretty common these days.
I am sure everyone would be in some form of horror about what the market analytics people collect on everyone.
Re: Easy to work around (Score:2)
Yup. Just force your users to click "I Agree", or everything stops working. See - instant consent!
Yay for consensual data rape!
what an amazing coincidence ! (Score:2)
My homeowners association just passed a law just like that. No doubt that with the authority of the Homeowners Association and the Maine government, those sneaky ISPs will take notice and do right for everyone. Consumers everywhere can now rest easy.
"By accessing the Internet through Our Service..." (Score:2)
Re: "By accessing the Internet through Our Service (Score:1)
The law states they canâ(TM)t refuse service, so choosing no has to be an option. The question is, can they make it sound like you donâ(TM)t have a choice?
Re: "By accessing the Internet through Our Service (Score:1)
Not about selling the data, this isn't good enough (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Why would they collect/retain it when it has no commercial value?
Re: (Score:2)
IT HAS VALUE (Score:2)
1) bank the data until you lobby for exemptions
2) invent ways to PROCESS the data to create new data which is 100% your property
2.5) AI systems could use all the data you can get to train them.
3) Sell derivative data which is exempt from all privacy and data laws.
4) Government spooks might reward your company later... direct sales not required.
5) oh and what about meta data?? is that included?
What if the data is "unpersonalized"? (Score:1)
What if, say, Google rents their processing servers to the ISP, who then stores their private user data on it, then merely sells the statistics to Google?