Larson Pushes Right to Internet Privacy Print
Commentary - Commentary
Written by Chris Larson, State Senator, District 7   
Thursday, 27 April 2017 20:29

chris_larsonMADISON – The reasonable expectation of privacy and the right to protect our sensitive personal information is a right important to all Wisconsinites. With the federal government recently reversing course on implementing common sense FCC Internet privacy rules designed to address the capture and use of a customer’s personal information by an internet provider, state governments have an urgent responsibility to step in to protect the privacy rights of our neighbors.

uw-mdsnIf enacted, the Internet Privacy Act would protect consumers by prohibiting an internet service provider from using, disclosing, or permitting access to a customer’s proprietary information unless the customer approves of the data usage. Additionally, this bill would offer stronger protections for sensitive personal information, such as financial or health information or information pertaining to a child. For non-sensitive information, the customer must object to the provider’s request to use, disclose, or permit access to that information. The bill also prohibits providers from refusing to provide coverage to a customer because they do not grant approval to use information.

The Internet Privacy Act would allow those wishing to protect their privacy the opportunity to do so. Making sure our neighbors can protect their privacy should be a bipartisan priority, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to recognize and safeguard that right for each of our neighbors.

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Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) issued this statement regarding the circulation of LRB 3273, the Internet Privacy Act, for co-sponsorship. The deadline for legislators to sign on to the bill is Friday, April 28.

Last Updated on Friday, 28 April 2017 10:03