PORTLAND: The ACLU of Maine today announced that it has signed on to become a Data Privacy Day (DPD) Champion to promote messages about the importance of data protection and controlling ones digital footprint. The ACLU of Maine has made privacy a 2013 legislative priority, and will be working with legislators on a privacy package to promote the rights of Mainers to be free from overreaching intrusion into their personal lives and information.
 
“It’s time to update our privacy laws to ensure proper oversight of corporate and government access to our most personal details,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine. “Our private information should have the same protections online as it does offline.”
 
Coordinated and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), Data Privacy Day is held each year on January 28and is an international awareness effort to empower people to better protect their privacy. The ACLU of Maine is joining the effort to promote privacy awareness along with a multitude of other international organizations, companies, education institutions, government entities and municipalities across the globe.
 
“Stronger protections are needed to ensure that any new technology will be used responsibly and consistently with our democratic values,” said Bellows. “We shouldn’t have to pay for new technology with our privacy.”
 
More information about Data Privacy Day can be found online at: www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/landing/