Frontier Institute statement in support of HB 479

HB 479 Expands Privacy Protections for Digital Data

Today the Frontier Institute offered support for HB 479, a bill which expands protections for Montanans’ digital data.

HB 479, proposed by Representative Katie Sullivan of Missoula, follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to expand protections for private digital information. HB 479 brings updates to Montana’s data privacy protections, extending warrant requirements for data stored in the cloud and ensuring against the mass collection of innocent data not directly related to a search.

“Montanans are overwhelmingly concerned about the privacy of their personal information and they want more protections from mass government surveillance. We think lawmakers ought to listen to them,” said Kendall Cotton, President and CEO of the Frontier Institute. “Updating Montana’s privacy laws will send a strong message that the Government is making our rights a priority.”

By amending Montana law, HB 479 will ensure that privacy protections are keeping up technology, especially the increasing amount of information stored about people in the cloud.

Frontier Institute research shows a large percentage of Montanans have concerns about the privacy of their personal information. Respondents to a Frontier Institute poll cited overwhelmingly that they want protections from government mass surveillance and assurances about how their private info is collected, stored, and shared.