AUGUSTA – Yesterday, the Maine House of Representatives passed an amended version of LD 1822, a measure sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, that would protect consumers by strengthening Maine’s data privacy laws.
The bill would limit the type of data and personal information that companies are able to collect from consumers and how that data can be used in the marketplace. The amendment adopted by the House on Thursday makes technical changes to definitions in the bill and delays its effective date to Sept. 1, 2027. It also removes a provision previously adopted by the Senate to exempt political organizations from the requirements in the bill.
“Across the country, we have seen big tech seek to profit off of our sensitive data online,” said Kuhn. “We are also witnessing the federal government weaponize Americans’ sensitive data. The Legislature must do everything in our power to protect Maine people, and this legislation will help us accomplish that.”
There have been numerous misconceptions about LD 1822 that have been widely circulated in recent weeks, including that it bans targeted advertising. However, targeted advertising is explicitly permitted under the bill. The type of privacy-invasive tracking that LD 1822 aims to stop largely happens outside of Mainers’ view, and most don’t even realize it is happening.
“The biggest competition to Maine’s small businesses are, without a question, large national corporations," said Kuhn. “Without this measure, advertising technology (AdTech) companies will continue to mine our personal data, feed it back to sites like Meta and Google and create a perpetual cycle where big businesses continue to out-advertise the small businesses that make our state special.”
As amended, the bill would ensure that personal data can only be collected if it is considered reasonably necessary in order for a company to provide a specific product or service. Sensitive data – like consumer health information, biometric data, and precise geolocation – can only be collected in certain circumstances and would not be sold to third-party entities, reducing the risk of discriminatory use. Finally, the bill would prohibit minors’ data from being sold or used to create targeted ads.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming days.
Rep. Kuhn is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents part of Falmouth. She is the House chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Kuhn) | 305-965-2744
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