HF103

This bill aims to protect individual privacy by restricting government agencies and courts in Minnesota from obtaining and using location and search-related data about people without them knowing. Specifically, it prohibits:

1. Reverse-location data requests: This involves seeking information about the locations of unspecified electronic devices—effectively tracking where devices (and their owners) have been without targeting a specific person initially.

2. Reverse-keyword data requests: Related to searches made on electronic devices, this would ban the tracking of who is searching for what terms, phrases, or websites without specific, already-identified suspects.

The bill also makes it illegal for courts to issue orders that allow the collection of such data, except in emergency situations like natural disasters or terrorist attacks. If such data is illegally obtained, it cannot be used in court proceedings (criminal, civil, or others).

Should a government entity violate these rules, the individuals affected are entitled to receive written notification and can take legal action. They might receive at least $1,000 or more depending on the damages suffered, along with other possible legal remedies, including punitive damages and coverage for attorney's fees.

In summary, the bill looks to tighten regulations on how data about individuals' locations and search histories can be collected and used by government bodies, adding layers of permission and excluding the use of such data in legal proceedings unless critical exceptions apply.