Delaware state legislators and Attorney General Matt Denn on Friday announced four bills that will help strengthen privacy laws when it comes to the Internet and social media.
The bills are designed to protect people's identities and online activities.
“Using the Internet at work, home, school and for recreation has become an everyday occurrence for the overwhelming majority of people,” Denn said. “As a result, we have to do everything possible to protect the privacy and personal information of Delawareans.”
The bills would tackle four different areas of online activity including: a Victim Online Privacy Act, a Delaware Online Privacy and Protection Act, a Student Data Privacy Protection Act, and an Employer Use of Social Media bill.
“Each of the four pieces of legislation addresses different privacy concerns, so I look forward to the General Assembly approving each bill in order to give everyone the utmost protection," Denn said.
The Delaware Online Privacy Act requires Internet providers who collect private information to have a privacy policy that explains how it uses the information. The Victim Online Privacy Act extends the Department of Justice's Address Confidentiality Program, and would prohibit a public display of a program participant's address, image or telephone number. The Student Data Privacy Protection Act allows schools to collect student information for education purposes but protects the privacy of the students and their parents. The Employer Use of Social Media prevents employers from requiring disclosure of information about personal social media accounts.