Politics & Government
Rhode Island Online Privacy Law Goes Live New Year's Day
The law provides penalties for any intentional disclosure of personal information in violation of the act.
A Rhode Island law establishing data transparency guidelines and strengthening online privacy takes effect New Year's Day.
The Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act was passed in June.
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The legislantion requires online service providers and commercial websites that collect, store and sell personally identifiable information to identify all categories of information collected, when the controller may disclose such information, when customers may exercise their rights, the purpose for processing the personal data, categories of personal data shared with a third party and means to contact the controller.
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Find out what's happening in Across Rhode Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Everybody has a fundamental right to privacy,” state Rep. Evan P. Shanley, D-Warwick, East Greenwich, said in a media release.
“Whenever you enter your information on a website, you should know if the administrators of that site are taking that information and selling it," Shanley said. "If they are, then they should say so by posting it in an obvious and visible place on their home page, and give you an opportunity to opt out. It is imperative that consumers understand how their information — especially information relating to their children — is shared by businesses.”
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While the legislation does not prohibit the collection or sale of personally identifiable information, it does provide penalties for any intentional disclosure of personal information in violation of the act., according to the release.
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"Such violations would be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 per disclosure," the release said. "Sole enforcement of these provisions would be vested in the office of the Attorney General."
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