ST. PAUL – Today, the Minnesota House passed the Jobs and Energy Omnibus conference committee report which excluded Rep. Paul Thissen’s internet privacy amendment that was added to the bill in March. The amendment required internet service providers (ISP) who use equipment subject to a franchise agreement, right of way agreement or other contract with the State of Minnesota or local unit of government to obtain a consumer's explicit consent before selling or sharing Web browsing data and other private information with advertisers and other companies. Rep. Thissen offered the amendment on the heels of action by the U.S. Congress to eliminate broadband privacy rules that would have required ISPs to get consumers' such explicit consent. Rep. Thissen released the following statement:
“The exclusion of this amendment is a direct hit to Minnesota consumers and their demand for a choice and a voice in keeping their personal information private. When my amendment was accepted in committee, I was optimistic it would become law and will continue to work to make that so. The bottom line interests of big business prevailed over the privacy interests of Minnesotans.
“Like most of the omnibus budget bills, this will likely get the veto stamp. I will aggressively advocate for its inclusion in a bill Governor Dayton will sign.”
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