WASHINGTON PRIVACY ACT, SB5062, DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TO PROTECT CONSUMERS OR STUDENTS
On January 14, 2021, the Washington state legislature will hold a hearing on a privacy bill, The Washington Privacy Act, SB 5062 which is weak and does not fully protect consumers’ right to privacy:
- SB5062 does nothing to better protect educational, teacher, or student data.
- SB5062 does not apply to state or local government agencies.
- SB5062 has many limitations and exemptions that allow the selling of user data or its use for marketing purposes:
- SB5062 allows corporations and other third parties to sell your data or use it for marketing purposes UNLESS you expressly opt out.
- If you do opt out, companies can charge you a higher price for their services.
- Even then, consumers can only “opt out” of the collection and use of personal data for certain purposes.”
- Instead, companies should be required to get prior consent or “opt in” for any disclosure of your personal data, including its use for marketing or sale.
- Finally, SB5062 does not allow people to hold companies accountable for violating their privacy rights by suing, if they’ve violated the law or your decision to opt out.
We agree with this Seattle Times op-ed: Washington needs a privacy law that protects people, not corporations. Oppose CONTINUE READING: Washington Privacy Act, SB5062, does not go far enough to protect consumers or students | Parent Coalition for Student Privacy
