N.Y. Gov Hochul signs laws intended to protect online data of residents, crackdown on digital dating fraud

Recently, New York Governor Kathy Hochul approved a legislative measure package that aims to protect customers’ personal information online.

Businesses and organizations are vulnerable to increased amounts of online consumer information fraud during this time of year. The governor hopes to strengthen the online security of New Yorkers who are vulnerable to these data breaches by signing this bill.

According to Governor Hochul, New Yorkers should never have to be concerned about their personal data being exploited or ending up in the wrong hands. We are acting boldly with this legislative package to improve protections, hold businesses responsible, and provide customers with the security and transparency they deserve. In an increasingly digital world, my administration will continue to take the lead in the battle to safeguard privacy, stop fraud, and guarantee that every New Yorker can live and work with confidence.

In total, there are six legislative bills in the package.

Social media firms are required by law S895B/A6789B to post terms of service for each platform in a way that is reasonable and lets users know what the content is. The bill also establishes sanctions for infractions and mandates that social media providers produce specific terms of service reports to the attorney general.

Law S2376B/A4737B aims to prevent identity theft by strengthening safeguards for insurance and medical records.

S5615/A2833 requires state agencies to make sure that products, services, and solutions related to personal computers adhere to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework. In the end, this will guarantee that equipment purchased by the state government have improved security measures.

State Senator Kevin Thomas commented, “I am grateful that Governor Hochul signed this significant legislation that strengthens NYS procurement practices among State agencies to help prevent cyberattacks.”Businesses and the government lose billions of dollars annually due to cyber security threats, so we must do everything in our power to stop this expanding issue. One crucial step in safeguarding our citizens’ data is to use best practices that the U.S. Government has accepted.

Businesses who experience a data breach are required by law S2659B/A8872A to notify the public within 30 days of the breach. Additionally, this adds the Department of Financial Services to the list of organizations that need to be notified in the event that any New York person is impacted by a data breach.

The use of social media platforms for debt collection is prohibited by legislation S5703B/A1035B.

Online dating sites’ handling of fraudulent members is governed by legislation S1759B/A1057C, which mandates specific disclosures and guidelines.

According to State Senator James Skoufis, fraudsters cost Americans billions of dollars annually, and people who are trying to connect are frequently the targets of dating services.According to this new regulation, online dating services are allowed to notify users when someone they have previously interacted with has been prohibited or when that person has since been banned. New Yorkers may make more informed choices about who they want to spend their time with if they have this more comprehensive view. I appreciate the Governor signing this sensible bill, and I’m happy the Legislature acknowledged the shifting social context.