Gov. Jesse Ventura has signed a bill that makes Minnesota the first state to enable Internet users to decide how ISPs handle their personal data. Ventura on Wednesday signed the legislation, which was overwhelmingly approved by state lawmakers late Saturday. Internet service providers are now required to notify subscribers that they can control whether their personal data is disclosed and how it is to be used. . . .
Gov. Jesse Ventura has signed a bill that makes Minnesota the first state to enable Internet users to decide how ISPs handle their personal data. Ventura on Wednesday signed the legislation, which was overwhelmingly approved by state lawmakers late Saturday. Internet service providers are now required to notify subscribers that they can control whether their personal data is disclosed and how it is to be used.

Sen. Steve Kelley, D-Hopkins, the sponsor of the bill, had said that privacy protections enjoyed by those who rent videotapes or watch cable TV should be extended to Internet users. Last month he told Newsbytes that the U.S. Congress has been slow to address the matter.

Ventura signed the bill despite opposition from Internet giants like America Online and Yahoo over fears that such a law would hamper the fight against cybercrime and impose new liabilities on companies that are the victims of online fraud or hacking attacks.

The link for this article located at Newsbytes is no longer available.