The state of Maine is taking a stand against Internet service providers (ISPs) that are monetizing customer information without consent by voting to pass a bill which will require express permission for such data harvesting.
On Thursday, the Maine Senate voted 35-0 to pass the bill, LD 946, which will require consumer consent before ISPs can sell their private information to third-parties.
ISPs, as the gatekeepers to our Internet access, are able to collect a vast array on our online activities if protections such as the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) are not in place. This may include website visits, browser histories, location data, and usage.
By creating a digital profile of our activities, ISPs can then sell this information on to advertisers and data brokers which are able to use this information in targeted business campaigns and tailored advertising.
LD 946 demands that ISPs secure the "express consent" of customers before "using, disclosing, selling or permitting access to customer personal information."
Read more: ISPs must now ask for permission before selling your data, Maine rules | ZDNet