Data privacy remains focal point for House Dems

Two House Democrats are asking their colleagues to generally prohibit the sale of sensitive personal data for profit.

The recently introduced bill (HB 807) from Rep. Tristan Rader and Rep. Christine Cockley would bar state agencies, officials and data brokers from selling or distributing such information absent a legally defined reason to do so.

“We're trying to say very clearly here there has to be some basic safeguards and rules and protections around our data in this age where I think there's a lot of fear about how our data is being used to target people,” Rader, D-Lakewood, said.

Cockley, D-Columbus, said the bill was partly inspired by concerns raised due to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Columbus.

“When ICE came to Columbus, there were a lot of community concerns about how ICE is getting the information, and it kind of snowballed into not only just ICE, but where is the data going from all Ohioans — how is it being used?” she said.

Both sponsors noted that their bill is similar to one from Rep. Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, that would prohibit state entities from collecting or sharing an individual's identifying information or personal data unless required by law or permitted by exemptions contained in the bill (HB 801).

Rader said he interpreted that plan to focus more on data security in relation to the secretary of state's office and the state’s voting systems with the goal of ensuring voters’ information is protected.

HB807, he suggested, is more expansive.

“I think there might be some overlap but…our bill is much broader and covers much more than her bill does," he said.

Cockley said the two bills complement one another but acknowledged some overlap “because of the industry and the data collection piece and how government is using it.”

Although Cockley said data privacy has been a longstanding concern for her, she said recent events — namely Secretary of State Frank LaRose's move to provide voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice — was another factor inspiring the new legislation.

Such events, she suggested, make "it clear why this is more timely now than ever."

LaRose has defended the move as a step to ensure Ohio is adhering to federal election laws, with a spokesman characterizing Democrats' criticism as "politically motivated."

Rader said that although the bill may draw critics from the majority party, his caucus has expressed strong support for the idea.

“It's something that certainly our caucus is excited about and happy to happen to be pushing towards, because we know how important it is,” he said.

Rader also said he believes data privacy should be a bipartisan issue because Ohioans have a right to data privacy.

“People should be in the know. They should be able to have control over their data and decide whether the data be sold or used, and how to dictate and direct how that data is used,” he said.