Maryland has been busy with technology legislation.
Maryland has enacted the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act, which imposes stricter privacy standards on businesses and requires them to limit the data they collect from Maryland consumers. Consumer advocates view this law as having stronger consumer protections than similar laws in other states, while the tech industry has expressed concerns about varying state requirements. Maryland joins 17 other states with laws granting consumers the right to know and correct their collected data.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a new law that centralizes the power of the state’s chief information officer (CIO) to carry out IT modernization projects. The law establishes an IT investment fund and requires some funds to be allocated for public health, education, and safety projects. It also centralizes IT management under the Department of Information Technology and aims to accelerate replacing outdated technology systems.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made a few tweaks to its Net Neutrality rules, following pressure from lobbying organizations. The final rules, released on May 4, include the three bright line prohibitions of no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization. Akamai Technologies, a caching and content delivery network provider, successfully sought assurances that its business ties to broadband Internet Service Providers would not be treated as paid prioritization. Small ISPs, however, did not receive a wholesale exemption from the Net Neutrality rules. For now, the FCC also decided to shield ISPs from contributing to the federal Universal Service Fund (USF). The FCC did not forbid states from adopting their own Net Neutrality laws, but it did not address specific state broadband affordability programs.
Why do we care?
Another privacy law to be aware of. That’s not my focus today. By establishing an IT investment fund specifically earmarked for public health, education, and safety projects, this law not only targets efficiency but also aims at enhancing the state’s service delivery in critical sectors. I’m intrigued.
The omission of guidelines on state broadband affordability programs could lead to a patchwork of regulations that might complicate compliance for service providers operating across multiple states. Could.
Apply as needed to your own business.