Governor Lamont signs into law a comprehensive consumer privacy law | Media Pyro

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06/17/2022

Governor Lamont signs into law a comprehensive consumer privacy law

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law Public act 22-15which implements a comprehensive set of protections for consumers that give them more options to protect their personal data collected when they interact with companies online.

Specifically, the law requires companies to publicly publish a privacy policy that tells consumers what their data is being collected and how that data is being used, and gives consumers the option to opt out of selling or sharing that data with others. In addition, consumers under the age of 16 are required to consent to data collection. Companies will be prohibited from discriminating against consumers who choose to exercise these rights.

The law also requires companies to reduce the amount of data they collect and use that data only for the purposes for which they collect it, thus reducing data breaches and identity theft.

Connecticut has become the fifth state to pass such a data privacy law, following similar ones recently passed in California, Colorado, Utah and Virginia. The governor explained that while he would prefer Congress to pass a similar data privacy standard at the federal level, he hopes this growing coalition of states enacting these protections will lead to companies across the country not complying with these standards. .

“Digital commerce is now a way of life for almost all of us, every time we stream a TV show or movie online, every time we go for a walk with our fitness tracker, and every time we shop at our favorite stores. website, our actions are recorded and often sold and shared with others.” Governor Lamont said. “Consumers have the right to know what information about them is being collected, have the right to correct any inaccurate data collected, and have the right to delete that data if they do not want it collected. I am pleased that Connecticut has joined this growing coalition of states taking action to protect consumer privacy. His time has come.”

The Connecticut law, which passed the Senate 35-0 and the House 144-5, is the result of negotiations with industry groups and merchants through task forces created at the behest of the Senate majority. Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and chaired by Sen. James Maroney (D-Milford), co-chairman of the Committee on Common Law.

“Watching Governor Lamont sign this bill into law is the latest step in this process of strengthening online privacy for Connecticut consumers.” said Senator Duff. “This bill will put Connecticut in an elite position as one of the first states to protect people’s personal data.”

“Good legislation takes time to get right, and I want to thank all my colleagues, advocates and industry representatives as we worked together over the last three years to get this legislation right.” said Senator Maroney. “What we’ve created provides the strongest data privacy protections for children in the country. We protect our children and families by giving our residents the protection of their data so that companies cannot indiscriminately profit from your personal data.”

The law takes effect on July 1, 2023, except for the task force provision, which takes effect immediately.

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