Bellows internet privacy bill advances out of committee

A bill by Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, to protect the personal information of internet users advanced out of the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Tuesday in a 5-5 party-line vote.

The Committee’s Democrats supported the bill, while the Republicans voted against it. The remaining members of the Committee (two Democrats and one Republican) will have until noon tomorrow to record their votes.

“In light of the recent Facebook scandal, it is all the more important that our internet service providers protect the personal information of consumers,” said Sen. Bellows. “LD 1610 protects both internet privacy and freedom, which have been so important for business development and civic engagement in our society.”

As amended, LD 1610, “An Act To Protect Privacy of Online Customer Personal Information” prohibits internet service providers who enter into contracts with or receive grant funding from the State from using, disclosing, or selling access to customer personal information unless they expressly consent to those actions. The bill also prohibits these providers from penalizing customers who do not consent to the sharing of their information by refusing service or upcharging.

Sen. Bellows introduced the bill last March after Congress overturned a Federal Communications Commission rule banning providers from selling their customers’ online web browsing data to advertisers and other third parties.

Breaking news this weekend that political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica harvested Facebook users’ data for use in the 2016 presidential campaign has highlighted the need for stronger consumer protection laws when it comes to the internet.

A separate provision of the bill directs the Maine Attorney General’s office to study the legality of a state enacting “net neutrality” provisions, in the absence of federal action.

The addition of the net neutrality language became necessary after the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal regulations which “prohibited broadband providers from blocking websites or charging for higher-quality service or certain content.”

Next, the bill will go to the Senate for initial votes.