Maine House backs data privacy bill [Video]

AUGUSTA — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday advanced data privacy legislation that supporters say would be unique in the United States in protecting individual privacy and limiting the type of digital information companies can collect and maintain.

L.D. 1977 was approved by the House in a 75-70 vote. It also will need approval in the Senate and additional votes in each chamber before it can be sent to Gov. Janet Mills for final approval.

“Mainers value privacy,” said Rep. Maggie O’Neil, D-Saco, the bill’s sponsor. “We want our personal information to be protected. We want control over who has our personal information, how it gets shared, and how it gets used, and that’s what this bill does. It will reduce breaches by data thieves and hackers. It will reduce unexpected uses of our data and online discrimination.”

Business groups and opponents have said the bill would detach Maine businesses …