Rep. Shanley Introduces Bill Giving More Protections to Internet Users in RI
GoLocalProv Business Team
Rep. Shanley Introduces Bill Giving More Protections to Internet Users in RI
Representative Evan Shanley has introduced legislation that he says will give more protection to internet users in Rhode Island.
The Right-to-Know Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act would protect Rhode Islanders from disclosure of personally identifiable information through the internet by users of commercial websites or online services.
“It’s more than a little troubling to see that our internet privacy rights may be eroding at the federal level. This legislation would protect the privacy of Rhode Islanders and give the attorney general the power to seek an enforcement action against operators who do not comply with the law. The right to privacy is something that is clearly woven into the tapestry of the U.S. Constitution. We must recognize the importance of providing consumers with transparency about how their personal information, especially information relating to their children, is shared by businesses,” said Shanley.
According to the legislation, businesses are now collecting personal information and sharing and selling it in ways not contemplated or properly covered by current state and federal law. Some websites are installing tracking tools that record when consumers visit web pages, and sending very personal information, such as age, gender, race, income, health concerns, religion and recent purchases to third-party marketers and data brokers.
The bill would require an operator of a commercial website that collects personal information through the internet to identify all categories of personal information that the operator collects, identify all categories of third-party persons or entities with whom the operator may disclose that information, and provide a description of a customer’s rights.
“People need to know that their information is being collected and shared with third parties so they can take whatever steps are necessary to protect their privacy, their safety and their financial security,” said Shanley.
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Lauren H. Carson, Aaron Regunberg, Alex D. Marszalkowski and Majority Whip John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
GoLocal: Benchmark Poll, October 2017
Sponsor: GoLocalProv
Sample: N=403
Rhode Island General Election Voters Margin of Error: +/- 4.9% at 95% Confidence Level
Interviewing Period: October 9-11, 2017
Mode: Landline (61%) and Mobile (39%)
Telephone Directed by: John Della Volpe, SocialSphere, Inc.
Are you registered to vote at this address?
Yes: 100%
When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?
Unaffiliated: 49%
Democrat: 32%
Republican: 15%
Moderate: .4%
Next year, in November of 2018, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices. How likely is it that you will vote in this election?
Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...
Definitely be voting: 78%
Probably be voting: 13%
50-50: 9%
In general, would you say things in Rhode Island are headed in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track?
Right track: 39%
Wrong track: 45%
Mixed: 10%
Don't know/Refused: .6%
What would you say is the number one problem facing Rhode Island that you would like the Governor to address?
Jobs and economy: 21%
Education: 12%
Taxes: 12%
Roads: 12%
State budget: 9%
Corruption/Public integrity: .8%
Healthcare: 3%
Governor: 3%
Homelessness: 2%
Immigration: 2%
Other: 7%
Don’t know: .9%
Over the past three years or so, would you say the economy in Rhode Island has improved, gotten worse, or not changed at all?
Changed for the better: 35%
Changed for the worse: 16%
Not changed at all: 43%
Don't know/Refused: 5%
Over the same time, has your family's financial situation improved, gotten worse, or not changed at all?
Changed for the better: 26%
Changed for the worse: 19%
Not changed at all: 54%
Don't know/Refused: 1%
Recently, a proposal has been made to permit the issuance of $81 million in bonds by the State to build a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox. If there was an election today on this issue, would you vote to approve or reject issuing $81 million in financing supported moral obligation bonds to build the stadium?
Net: Approve: 28%
Definitely approve: 15%
Probably approve: 14%
Net: Reject: 67%
Probably reject: 19%
Definitely reject: 48%
Don't know: 4%
Could you please tell me your age?
18-24: 7%
25-34: 15%
35-44: 15%
45-54: 20%
55-64: 17%
65+: 25%
Don't know/refused: 1%
What was the last grade you completed in school?
0-11: 2%
High school grad: 16%
Technical/Vocational school: 1%
Some college: 23%
College grad: 34%
Graduate degree: 24%
Don't know/refused: 1%
The next question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS. Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).
$50,000 or less: 27%
More $50,000 but less than $75,000: 13%
More $75,000 but less than $100,000: 13%
More $100,000 but less than $150,000: 17%
$150,000 or more: 13%
Don't know/refused: 17%
What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?
American/None: 21%
English: 13%
Italian: 13%
Irish: 12%
Black or African American: 6%
Latino/Hispanic: 6%
French: 6%
Portuguese: 3%
Jewish: 3%
German: 1%
Would you say that Donald Trump has done an excellent good, fair or poor job as President?