Fla. House OKs Privacy Bill Allowing Individual Suits 118-1

A privacy bill with a private right of action passed the Florida House 118-1 Wednesday. The Senate has SB-1734 without a private right. Rep. Ben Diamond (D) said on the floor Wednesday that he voted for HB-969 despite his concerns about allowing private lawsuits, because he understands the two chambers and governor’s office are in talks about the right approach. Diamond was confident that attorney general enforcement is enough and worried about maintaining Florida’s “reputation” as a “business-friendly state.” Rep. Anna Eskamani (D) hoped negotiations don’t lead to a weaker bill. HB-969 sponsor Rep. Fiona McFarland (R) kept supporting including the private right (see 2104200066). “Please vote to make Florida a place where Big Tech ... does not control our data and does not control our government,” McFarland said. Consumer Reports praised the House for keeping a private right but noted that HB-969 lacks a provision from the Senate bill to require companies to honor opt-out browser signals. The House bill has "strong enforcement and a comprehensive opt out," said CR Senior Policy Analyst Maureen Mahoney. "But the bill should also make it easy for Floridians to opt out."