Consumer Groups Urges Vermont to Pass Stronger Privacy Bill Than Other States

Vermont senators shouldn’t let Big Tech convince them to "pass their favored model of privacy legislation in lieu of stronger protections” like S-71, said a Consumer Reports (CR) official Wednesday at a livestreamed meeting.

On the second day of a privacy hearing, the Senate Institutions Committee heard testimony on S-71 and an alternative (S-93), which was supported a day earlier by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce (see 2503110053). The committee is scheduled to continue the hearing Thursday.

S-71 is better for consumers including because it has strong data minimization rules, heightened protections for sensitive data and a private right of action, testified Matt Schwartz, CR policy analyst.

While S-93 is pitched as a New England model because it mimics Connecticut’s 2023 original law, Schwartz said the Connecticut legislature has since amended its law and is considering additional changes this year (see 2502260035). He added that Massachusetts -- a major New England state without a privacy law -- is considering legislation that goes beyond Connecticut.

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group agrees, said Zachary Tomanelli, consumer protection advocate. The bill’s “meaningful data minimization standard” is “the whole ballgame,” he said. Plus, its “narrow” private right of action “ensures robust enforcement” given limited resources at the attorney general’s office.

“S-71 will provide real meaningful protections against these incursions” of privacy by the Department of Government Efficiency as it seeks access to people’s sensitive information, argued Cody Venzke, American Civil Liberties Union senior policy counsel. ACLU especially supports the bill including support for universal opt-out mechanisms, data minimization rules and anti-discrimination requirements.