Support bill to protect privacy

Nearly everything we do in today's digital world can leave behind a trail of information - things like your name, address, social security number, and even your precise physical movements throughout the day. This information is captured, mined, and sometimes exploited, often without your knowledge.

A study conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence found that 72 percent of victim service programs reported victims who were tracked through a stalking app installed on a mobile phone or a stand-alone GPS device. This directly impacts Illinois citizens.

For one client of our organization, her boyfriend used location data transmitted by the client's cellphone to monitor her movements daily without her knowledge. After they broke up, this surveillance continued, leading to repeated stalking and terrorizing of the client by the ex-boyfriend. Thankfully, the client learned of the location monitoring through a subpoena to her cellphone company as part of a protective order suit, and she was able to end this electronic stalking before it ended in violence or physical harm toward her. Sadly, however, many other women do not learn of this monitoring until it is too late.

Fortunately, the Illinois House has a chance to protect our privacy this month. House Bill 3449 is common-sense legislation that mandates companies that want to track your movements through apps or websites must, in simple terms, ask for your permission the first time - not bury it in long privacy policies.

The opposition to this bill are those who financially benefit from your information and many of them have deep pockets to keep their best interests intact even though 94 percent of registered Illinois voters disapprove of having their personal information collected, shared or sold. Please ask your state representative to help protect your rights!

Melissa Banerjee

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation

Chicago