SF1120

The legislative bill S.F. No. 1120 focuses on regulating how government entities in Minnesota handle specific types of data collection and court orders related to personal digital information. Key points include:

1. Prohibitions for Government Entities: The bill prevents state government bodies from requesting, obtaining, or using "reverse location" and "reverse keyword" data without a court order. This type of data involves identifying individuals based on their location data or their search terms on electronic devices.

2. Court Order Restrictions: Courts are restricted from issuing orders that compel the collection of reverse location and reverse keyword data, except in cases of sudden emergencies (e.g., natural disasters, technological failures, terrorist incidents).

3. Use of Data in Legal Proceedings: Any data obtained in violation of these rules cannot be used as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings, and any evidence derived from such data is also inadmissible.

4. Civil Rights and Penalties: Individuals whose data has been improperly accessed can be notified of the breach, and they have the right to sue the responsible government entity. Successful lawsuits can lead to compensation, punitive damages, and the coverage of attorney fees.

The bill aims to protect individual privacy by regulating access to potentially invasive data collection methods and enforcing strict controls on the use of such data within legal and government frameworks.