Creates privacy task force within the office for technology to conduct ongoing review of state and local laws, regulations and practices and make recommendations

BILL NUMBER:S2225

Title of bill

An act to amend the state technology law, in relation to the creation of a state privacy task force

Purpose

Creates a State Privacy Task Force that is designed to recommend legislation to the Legislature and Governor to protect the privacy of personal information.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 sets forth legislative intent.

Section 2 creates, under the auspices of the Office for Technology, a State Privacy Task Force. The Task Force's charge is to "conduct an ongoing review and analysis of existing state and local laws, regulations and practices with respect to the compilation, protection or dissemination" of personal information, and to report to the Governor and the four legislative leaders with its recommendations on January 15th of each year.

Justification

Public concern regarding personal privacy is growing, especially the potential threat to personal privacy posed by new technologies. Public and private entities have increased their use of computers and databases, permitting significant amounts of information to be compiled about individuals. Many entities, such as telemarketers, credit card companies, insurance companies, now utilize massive databases to track customers and potential customers. The result of a greater amount of personal information being compiled, retained and disseminated than ever before is a feeling among many that individuals can no longer keep their private life to themselves. This legislation will create a state-level entity that will develop an expertise in issues relating to the protection of personal privacy.

The State Privacy Task force will review and analyze current state and local law and practices with respect to the collection, retention and dissemination of personal information. It will report to the legislature and the governor annually, recommending ways to enhance and protect the privacy of New Yorkers. In its recent report on the Invasion of Privacy (March 2000), the Senate Majority recommends that "the work of the Task Force should not cease with this report" (page 5). But we can do better. This bill takes the Senate Majority's recommendation one step further by creating a bipartisan task force which will consider and address privacy issues in a non-political context.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

Immediately.