Utah is on track to enact a comprehensive state privacy law, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) reported Thursday (March 3).
In just five days, Utah lawmakers unanimously agreed on the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA). The measure passed the Senate on a 28-0 vote and the House followed a with 71-0 approval.
If enacted, the law would give consumers the right to opt out of the collection and sale of personal data for targeted advertising.
In addition, it would require companies to provide consumers with clear privacy notices. It would also allow the Division of Consumer Protection to investigate consumer complaints and authorize the Office of the Attorney General to take enforcement action and impose penalties.
The bill is now with Gov. Spencer Cox.
Rossina Lake, a spokesperson for the governor, told PYMNTS that Cox has not decided whether to sign the legislation. She said details of the proposed law must be ironed out between the House and Senate before he reaches a decision.
Consumer Reports Senior Policy Analyst Maureen Mahoney told the IAPP that the Utah doesn’t go far enough.
“The bill lacks key elements that would make it workable for consumers, like a global opt out, and its provisions likely wouldn’t rein in tech giants like Google and Facebook from their current privacy practices,” she said.
On Tuesday (March 1), Congress considered legislation designed to protect online users.
Read more: Congress Contemplates Privacy Protections
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce invited consumer groups, policy makers and law enforcement officials to discuss the Banning Surveillance Advertising Act of 2022, Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2022 and the Digital Services Oversight and Safety Act of 2022, according to the International Association of Privacy Professionals, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit trade group.
“The time to regulate is now,” said Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Chairwoman Jan Schakowsky.
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