New Digital Privacy Law in Florida Offers More Control Over Personal Data

Florida residents may soon have more control over their digital privacy as a new law is set to go into effect on July 1. The law expands the definition of personal data to include voice, fingerprints, and face, giving users more options to manage how their information is used by tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, and Google.

The legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Fiona McFarland, aims to give Floridians the ability to request the deletion of their data from these companies if they no longer want them to have it. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law last year, highlighting the importance of protecting consumer privacy in the digital age.

With the new law, Florida joins a growing number of states that have implemented consumer digital data protection regulations. However, some critics argue that the law’s narrow scope, which only applies to companies with over $1 billion in annual sales and a majority of revenue from online ads, leaves many consumers’ personal information unprotected.

Despite concerns about potential limitations and loopholes in the legislation, the new law represents a step towards empowering consumers to have more control over their online privacy. As federal lawmakers consider a national data privacy bill, the debate over how to best protect consumers’ digital rights continues to evolve.

Overall, the new digital privacy law in Florida marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address consumer online privacy and data protection in the digital age.