AUGUSTA, Maine — As consumers become more aware of the data they may be offering in an internet-connected world, advocates and lawmakers discussed a potential bill looking to increase data privacy.
Proposed earlier this year to the Maine House of Representatives, LD 1977 looks to limit certain entities' access to consumers' personal data unless it is relevant to the service they offer.
"They shouldn't just be collecting limitless amounts of data about us and using it for purposes we don't expect," Caitriona Fitzgerald of the Electronic Privacy Information Center said. She spoke at the discussion in favor of the bill.
"It would better align with my expectations as a consumer. So if I'm using a product, I'm giving them my location data. They can use that to say provide me with the weather. They can't use it to sell to a dozen data brokers or advertisers," Fitzgerald added.
Titled "An Act to Create the Data Privacy and Protection Act," the bill is sponsored by Representative Margaret O'Neil.
The bill would also require entities to lay out clear, detailed, and accessible privacy policies if data is being collected. Exceptions are laid out for entities like small businesses.
Those in opposition to the bill say the language has potential to conflict with already existing compliance laws in other states, due to opposing definitions for terms.
"I think, effectively, we need to use language and a framework that the businesses are already using," Senator Lisa Keim said during the meeting.
Others advocating for the bill say acting now would help prevent personal data from getting into the wrong hands as data leaks become more apparent.
"No one should fear that their personal data would be compromised, or used against them, but sadly this information is already being weaponized," Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Vice President of Public Affairs Lisa Margulies said.
The bill was carried over for the upcoming legislative session in January of 2024.