Hoffman Legislation Strengthening Online Protections for Students Becomes Law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Under a new law sponsored by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, Illinois students will have stronger protections of their online data.

“With data of consumers becoming a booming industry, it’s important that we work to protect the data privacy—especially of children—from big corporations trying to increase their margins,” Hoffman said. “This new law restricts how websites and online apps can collect, compile, and disclose data collected from student.”

Hoffman’s legislation, Senate Bill 1796, creates prohibitions and obligations regarding the collection of data on websites or online apps that are primarily used by students in Illinois. Furthermore, the proposal creates data security guidelines that websites and apps must meet in order to protect student information from being hacked or accessed illegally. Additionally, the measure permits the Attorney General’s office to bring action against any individual or organization that hacks information or is negligent in protecting the online data of students.

The proposal received bipartisan support in the House and Senate and was recently signed into law by the governor.

“Big data-mining companies are oftentimes victims of hacks by cyber-criminals that are trying to steal personal information of consumers—this proposal helps protect students from falling victim to falling victim to a data hack,” Hoffman said. “I’m proud of the work we accomplished to protect children in our community. It was truly a bipartisan effort and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Legislature and the governor for their help with getting this proposal signed into law.”