MCLU Urges Maine’s Legislators to Adopt Privacy Protection Measures
Two Proposals in Work Session Would Safeguard Personal Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shenna Bellows, Executive Director, Maine Civil Liberties Union
Thursday, March 16, 2006

Portland- The Maine Civil Liberties Union today urged Maine’s legislators to protect Mainers’ privacy when considering two bills in work sessions this week.

LD 2017, “An Act to Amend the Notice of Risk to Personal Data Act,” is in an Insurance Committee work session today.  The proposed amendments would establish written standards for the security of computerized data, including personal information, and include provisions for prompt investigations into security breaches of data systems. 

LD 1885, “An Act to Protect Drivers' Privacy by Clarifying Ownership of Data Recorded by Motor Vehicle Data Recorders,” will be considered tomorrow in a work session of the Judiciary Committee.  The bill seeks to establish that the data collected and stored in car “black boxes” is private and exclusively owned by the owner of the motor vehicle.

“In an age of advancing technology and extensive electronic surveillance, Maine’s legislators should do everything in their power to prevent the misuse and abuse of our private information,” said Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.  “Without strict protections on electronic data, our private information is bound to fall into the hands of companies or individuals who will use it for wrongful purposes.”

As Mainers across the political spectrum become more and more concerned with identity theft, electronic surveillance, and other invasions of personal privacy, the Maine Civil Liberties Union applauds the efforts of those legislators that seek greater safeguards for our private information.  It must be made clear that such information is the property of the individual to whom it pertains, and must be kept private except with the permission of that individual.  Measures of security must be exercised to ensure that such information does not come into the possession of companies or individuals who could use it for financial or legal gain. 

For instance, the following types of companies have been identified as potential future consumers of black box data: insurance companies, government agencies, human factors research companies, parents’ groups, vehicle owners, and transportation researchers.  While some of these interests might have legitimate need to access some recorded data, basic privacy safeguards must be in place to protect the personal privacy of individuals riding in vehicles. 

“We must address potential privacy risks in a serious manner,” said Bellows.  “LD 2017 and 1885 are both a step in the right direction toward protecting the private information of Mainers from being accessed by those who might abuse it.”

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