Gov. Ron DeSantis Strengthens Florida’s Laws Against Digital Privacy Violations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a strong stance on digital privacy violations by signing two pieces of legislation into law on Friday. The new laws aim to crack down on unauthorized tracking devices and digital voyeurism, updating penalties and definitions to better protect individuals in the digital age.

The first piece of legislation, Senate Bill 758, focuses on the unauthorized use of tracking devices and applications. This includes popular location-tracking tags like Apple AirTags. Offenders who place tracking technologies on another person’s property without consent now face harsher penalties, with the offense being upgraded to a third-degree felony. This means up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for violators. The law also includes exemptions for law enforcement, caregivers, and parents or guardians tracking minors or vulnerable adults under specific conditions.

Additionally, sellers of vehicles are now required to disclose any installed tracking devices to buyers and provide instructions for their removal, enhancing consumer protection and transparency in transactions.

The second measure, House Bill 1389, focuses on updating laws related to digital voyeurism. The legislation renames “video voyeurism” to “digital voyeurism” and increases penalties for privacy invasions using modern technologies. A first offense by individuals aged 19 and older is now classified as a third-degree felony, with more severe penalties for disseminating or commercially exploiting voyeuristic content. The law also escalates offenses if the perpetrator is a family or household member, or holds a position of authority or trust relative to the victim.

Each act of unauthorized viewing, recording, or dissemination is considered a separate offense under the new law, emphasizing the importance of respecting digital privacy rights.

These new laws represent a significant step forward in protecting individuals from digital privacy violations in Florida, with Governor DeSantis leading the charge in enhancing legal measures against such offenses.