Maine Passes Strongest State Law Banning ISP Data Sales
Maine lawmakers approve a groundbreaking privacy bill requiring internet providers to get permission before selling user data. Governor Janet Mills signs the measure into law to protect residents from unauthorized data harvesting.
Maine lawmakers pass a groundbreaking bill that stops internet providers from selling consumers' private browsing data to advertisers without explicit permission. The state senate votes unanimously 35-0 in favor of the measure, following a strong 96-45 vote in the state house of representatives. Governor Janet Mills signs the bill into law, ensuring that internet service providers must obtain opt-in consent from Maine's 1.3 million residents before sharing their data with third parties.
This new state law directly pushes back against a 2017 decision by the Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission that allows ISPs to sell customer data for profit. Because internet providers see every website a user visits, how long they stay, and possess sensitive identifying information like bank details and social security numbers, this data collection reveals highly personal details about a user's health, religion, and private life.
The ACLU, which helps draft the legislation, praises the measure as the strongest internet privacy bill passed by any state. Advocacy directors highlight that the Maine legislature successfully prioritizes consumer privacy over corporate profits, ensuring that residents no longer have to choose between accessing the internet and protecting their personal information.