Maine Enacts Nation’s Strictest Data Privacy Restrictions on Internet Service Providers

On Thursday, June 6, 2019, Maine governor Janet Mills signed into law new data privacy protections for Maine residents. The law, entitled “An Act To Protect the Privacy of Online Customer Information,” places new restrictions on Internet service providers (ISPs), effective July 1, 2020. The law prohibits the use or sale of customer information without those customers opting in to having their data shared. Under the law, ISPs may not use, sell, or disclose “customer personal information,” including web browsing history, application usage history, precise geolocation information, financial information, and health information, without customer consent. The law applies to ISPs operating in Maine that provide Internet access to customers physically located and billed for services received in Maine.

For more information, see our previous article regarding the bill.