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from the sudden-outbreak-of-common-sense dept.
Submitted via IRC for Bytram
Maine Governor Signs Strictest Internet Protections in the U.S.
Maine Internet service providers will face the strictest consumer privacy protections in the nation under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Janet Mills, but the new law will almost certainly be challenged in court.
Several technology and communication trade groups warned in testimony before the Legislature that the measure may be in conflict with federal law and would likely be the subject of legal action.
The new law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2020, would require providers to ask for permission before they sell or share any of their customers’ data to a third party. The law would also apply to telecommunications companies that provide access to the Internet via their cellular networks.
[...]State Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, the sponsor of the new law, said Maine was taking a leading role when it came to protecting online consumer privacy.
“Mainers need to be able to trust that the private data they send online won’t be sold or shared without their knowledge,” Bellows said. “This law makes Maine first and best in the nation in protecting consumer privacy online.”
[...]Opponents to the law, including several coalitions of the nation’s leading telecommunication and technology sector companies, have argued it is in conflict with the FCCs rules and could also be a violation of U.S. Constitution’s interstate commerce clause, which prohibits any one state from regulating industries that do business across state lines.
(Score: 2) by gtomorrow on Thursday June 13 2019, @10:58AM (3 children)
Hmmm...an opt-in solution to the systematic invasion of privacy of Bellows' constituents vs the telcos multi-billion-dollar stockpile plus the present political climate of the FCC. Wonder who'll win?
I'd almost put money on it but a scene from a certain Brando/Sinatra movie involving cheesecake comes to mind.
(Score: 3, Touché) by AthanasiusKircher on Thursday June 13 2019, @11:12AM
Well, if we're at that Brando scene, I'd say we're making at least some progress. Because usually when it comes to companies relating to consumer privacy on the internet, a different scene involving Brando and a stick of butter comes to mind...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 13 2019, @12:30PM (1 child)
They’ll just throw the consent clause into the contract language at sign up. Literally no one other than lawyers will ever see anything different from the way it is today.
(Score: 2) by shortscreen on Thursday June 13 2019, @04:01PM
If that's all it comes down to, why are the "tech" (adware/spyware) companies even bothering to speak against it? They are just that eager to remind everyone of what giant d-bags they are?