InfoHive – Data Security

What’s happening? Nevada Governor proposes allowing tech companies to form local governments to spur economic recovery and diversify the economy. These “innovation zones”

Why is this important? The proposal would allow “emerging technologies—like blockchain, autonomous vehicles or artificial intelligence—to develop autonomous districts.” To get there, the company will have to own at least 50,000 acres of land and invest at least $1.25 billion over 10 years. Over time, the tech company would take over government roles like tax collection, education, & law enforcement.

How will this be important? A Democrat Governor proposal in a. western independent state- that’s the ingredients for a repeat recipe.

Route Fifty | Nevada Plan to Let Tech Firms Form Local Governments is Scaled Back

What is happening? Florida is considering HB969 (2021 | FL) that will share attributes with the California Data Privacy law by allowing for causes of action by consumers and gives consumers more power over their personal data.

Why is this important? Florida is doing something California did. That’s like my cat following my dog around, not happening and yet it did.

How will this be important? As states and companies call for greater control over personal data, even so far as granting property rights to data, these laws are evolving t a fast pace.

national law review | Florida Moves Forward a Revised Consumer Privacy Bill

What’s happening? Add Maine and North Dakota to the states that have adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data security model law. They’re up to 13 states, like the original 13 colonies but different. These 13 require insurers, insurance agents and other entities licensed by the state department of insurance to have comprehensive data security plans.

Why is this important? Not only are insurance policies for cyber incidents increasing in number and value, but so is a requirement that the insurance side of the equation has appropriately sized data security plans for the information that they maintain.

How will this be important? 13 of 50, this model law is only a couple yers old, it take time for it to spread to more states, but based on previous model laws, the spread is inevitable.

National Law Review | Two Other States Adopt Model Data Security Law for Insurance Industry

What is happening? Baltimore is creating more government transparency by giving the public access to action trackers to give insight into how projects are coming along. In 2016, when the current mayor served on city council, he passed an ordinance that created a city open data policy.

Why is this important? It is a trust building exercise for local governments and their constituents

How will this be important? It is a perennial question- do people trust the government.

Governing | Baltimore to Use Data Transparency to Gain Public Trust

What’s happening? Franklinton, NC is looking to recycle used tires to convert them into oil to power cryptocurrency mining. Product Recovery Technology International is using thermal demanufacturing

Why is this important? The energy generated in Franklinton ultimately could be harnessed for the town

How will this be important? As non-Arctic Circle locations work to recruit bitcoin companies, figuring out how to power mining will be crucial

News & Observer Governing | North Carolina Town to Use Old Tires to Mine Cryptocurrency

What is happening?  Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) would prohibit from buying information from data brokers. This bill would require them to have a court order.

Why is this important? Are there conversations in your city or state about whether your law enforcement officers are buying personal data from data brokers?

How will this be important? In the new economy, or the post pandemic world, how law enforcement operates is getting a closer scrutiny. Especially when it comes to use of technology and data. Add data brokers to facial recognition software as go-to legislation.

Tech Crunch | New privacy bill would end law enforcement practice of buying data from brokers

What is happening? Fairfax County Employees’ Retirement System and Fairfax County Police Officers Retirement System are the first known to commit to a dedicated fund that invests primarily in blockchain technology firms

Why is this important? Specialized investment awareness is growing. Whether it is pension contributors who want to select climate change issues or general ESGs, or pension systems that want to divest from fossil fuels.

How will this be important? More pension systems are claiming their identities and VA is home to the first on the blockchain train.

Pensions & Investments | Two Virginia pension funds warm up to blockchain technology investments

What is happening? Governor Cuomo signed the NY state budget which included a provision for $15/mo internet access for low income families in NY. Heralded as the 1st state in the US to offer internet access to all affordably..

Why is this important? COVID highlighted the need for better and more inclusive broadband access.

How will this be important? Broad support for $15 internet access includes AARP and many opponents of Governor Cuomo. Plus, some companies, like Spectrum, offer low cost internet. Everyone is on board. We will see more of these programs ASAP.

Times Union via Governing | New York Orders $15-Per-Month Internet for Low-Income Homes

What’s happening? HB 971 (2021 | FL) would allow a consumer, whose personal information has been breached in a data breach, to file a cause of action against a large company who held the data that was breached. A large company is defined as more than $50M in revenue. and collect data from more than 50,000 Floridians.

Why is this important? California and Virginia have passed similar legislation. Momentum for consumers to have more control over their personal data is increasing.

How will this be important? More states are expected to give their residents greater control and provide a path to bring a lawsuit concerning their personal data.

Governing | Florida Bill Would Allow Consumers to Sue Over Data Privacy

What’s happening? Iowa is considering SF 541 (2021 | IA) that would adopt smart contract rules for blockchain, distributed ledger technology, and give legal recognition to electronic records, signatures, and contracts

Why is this important? Wyoming started this trend not so long ago and more states are jumping on the bandwagon.

How will this be important? Other states including Texas HB 4474 (2021 | TX ) are considering blockchain legislation

Decrypt | Iowa Lawmakers Pass Blockchain-Friendly Legislation