Maine Lawmakers Reject So-Called Privacy Bill Backed by Big Tech

LD 1973 would have maintained the status quo for consumer privacy in Maine, allowing tech giants to continue their worst abuses.

“The ACLU of Maine applauds the state legislature for rejecting LD 1973, a bill created by and for Big Tech. Under the guise of protecting Maine people’s privacy, the bill would have allowed tech giants to continue exploiting our most personal information so long as they let us know in their privacy policy.

We are disappointed that the Senate today rejected LD 1977, which would have implemented the nation’s strongest privacy protections, following Tuesday’s House passage. Maine has a proud tradition of leading the nation in data privacy, limiting data collection by internet service providers, banning governments from using facial recognition technology, and requiring warrants to obtain cell phone data. We are excited to continue working with lawmakers, small business leaders, and concerned Mainers to advance this important legislation next year.

Protecting Maine people’s privacy is essential to defending our democracy, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ equality, and racial justice. Tech giants have built a surveillance economy, tracking our every move across the internet, apps, and devices. They use this information to build psychological profiles they can sell to anyone willing to pay. This information has been used to sow disinformation, influence elections, and increase government surveillance. It has also brought redlining into the digital age by feeding our data to algorithms that make decisions about hiring, offering loans, accepting students, and more.”