Senator Michael E. Hastings works to update internet privacy laws

SPRINGFIELD- Illinois residents may soon be able to request to know what personal data is being stored by commercial websites.

State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced Senate Bill 1502, the Right to Know Act, to protect Illinois residents’ privacy.

“The price of surfing the web shouldn’t mean sacrificing your privacy and personal information,” Hastings said. “Every time someone simply engages on a website from the comfort of their home, commercial websites could possibly be storing and sharing this data.”

Current Illinois law requires businesses that collect personal informational to implement security measures to notify customers of security breaches. However, commercial websites are not required to notify residents what data they collect or whom they share that data with.

“This is your personal information,” Hastings said. “You should know who is storing your records and who has access to it.”

This new initiative would require commercial Internet websites that collect personal information to notify customers of the information they have collected as well as any third parties with whom they may have disclosed personal information with.

“Cybersecurity is a big deal,” Hastings said. “It’s important for Illinois’ laws to update and evolve with the needs of the people. This is a small step to protect Illinois residents’ privacy and security.”

Senate Bill 1502 passed the Senate’s Judiciary Committee and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.