Author: Alex

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today advised Connecticut consumers and businesses of new rights and requirements set to go into effect on January 1, 2025 regarding opt out rights under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA).

“We’re all familiar now with the ‘ask site not to track’ pop-ups. Starting January 1, you can install a simple browser extension to answer that question once and for all—and sites you visit will be responsible for knowing and following your preference. This is a key step forward for consumer privacy rights, and I urge consumers on January 1 to take advantage of this right to control their data,” said Attorney General Tong.

The CTDPA was enacted in July of last year—one of the first comprehensive consumer privacy laws in the country. Several of the CTDPA’s key provisions have subsequent effective dates, including a critical requirement that controllers honor global opt out preference signals (“OOPS”) sent by consumers. The OOPS provisions allow consumers the ability to opt out of targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data across all activities online in one place.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, Connecticut consumers can send their OOPS through a variety of platforms to “signal” to websites that they are opting out of targeted advertising and the sale of their personal data. Each consumer’s opt out “signal” will be sent automatically by using, for example, the Global Privacy Control through a privacy protective browser or browser extension. Over 40 million people already use the GPC.

All businesses covered by the CTDPA must respond to a consumer’s OOPS. This signal must be sent from a platform or mechanism that enables the business to accurately determine whether the consumer is a Connecticut resident. If a consumer’s OOPS conflicts with that consumer’s previously given privacy choice or their voluntary participation in that business’s loyalty rewards or discount program, the business must still comply with the OOPS. Though, the business may notify the consumer of the conflicting signals and ask the consumer to confirm their choice with the understanding that it would affect their previously given privacy choice or participation in their loyalty rewards or discount program.

Effective January 1, 2025, businesses subject to the CTDPA must treat Connecticut residents’ privacy preferences submitted through browser signals as requests to opt-out of sales or targeted advertising. To implement the GPC, businesses can get started here.

Consumers should note that not all Connecticut businesses are covered by the CTDPA. The law includes specific revenue thresholds and exempts certain industries regulated by other privacy frameworks—such as health care companies subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 (HIPAA).

For more information about the CTDPA, visit the Attorney General’s FAQ page here.

For more information on the DOT bridge project virtual public informational meeting for the project go here: https://portal.ct.gov/dotstratfordmilford0301-0557?language=en_US

The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced legislation to preserve and expand America’s national trail system. The Complete America’s Great Trails Act gives a tax credit to landowners who voluntarily make land contributions towards the completion of National Scenic Trails, expanding the trail system and protecting the land from development.

Connecticut is home to two of the 11 National Scenic Trails—the Appalachian Trail, which extends 52 miles across the state from Salisbury in the north to Sherman in the south, and the New England Trail, which extends 117 miles across the state from Suffield in the north to Guilford in the south.

“The system of National Scenic Trails provides access to truly extraordinary landscapes—accessing the beauty of nature and recreational opportunities,” said Blumenthal. “The Complete America’s Great Trails Act incentivizes landowners to help close gaps in our national trail system, ensuring we protect habitat from encroachment of development while expanding the trails themselves. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to preserve these treasured spaces.”

“The Complete America’s Great Trails Act will enhance, expand, and protect trails in America’s most treasured places, from Mt. Vernon to Mount St. Helens, by providing landowners with incentives to protect public access and natural landscapes along America’s National Scenic Trails,” said Connolly. “I am proud to lead this effort with Senator Blumenthal and look forward to our continued work together to protect these American treasures for generations to come.”

The Complete America’s Great Trails Act provides landowners who make a voluntary land contribution towards the completion of the National Scenic Trails with a tax credit equal to the fair market value of the portion of the land, furthering the goal of strengthening the connectivity and improving the maintenance of the trail system.

The legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The legislation is supported by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.

“Walking and hiking in nature is a wonderful experience that brings with it many benefits, including good health, time with friends and family, and conserving the environment,” said Andy Bicking, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association, the state’s oldest conservation organization that manages the 825-mile network of Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. “We’re grateful for Senator Blumenthal’s leadership in reintroducing the Complete America’s Great Trails Act. The legislation will help protect national trail resources for future generations and secure access to the outdoors for all people.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.