Technology (Data Privacy) in Wisconsin

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

AB 1190: Relating to: algorithmic pricing of essential consumer goods, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.

This bill prohibits grocery retailers from using personalized algorithmic pricing for essential consumer goods like food and household products. It requires clear disclosure when prices are set by algorithms using personal data and bans displaying such prices on electronic screens within stores. The law also prevents retailers from using consumer data to set prices that vary based on protected characteristics like race, sex, or disability. Grocery retailers face penalties of up to $2,000 per violation and could be subject to investigations and civil lawsuits from affected consumers.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 1161: Relating to: online services accessed by minors, minors’ personal data, and granting rule-making authority.

This bill creates a new section in state statutes to regulate how online services collect and use personal data from minors under 18 years old. It applies to businesses that operate online services in the state, earn most of their revenue from those services, and are likely to be accessed by minors. The law requires covered businesses to implement age-appropriate design features, restrict the collection of sensitive data like biometric and genetic information from minors, and prevent compulsive use patterns that disrupt a minor's daily activities. The bill also grants the state rule-making authority to establish specific standards for how these protections should be implemented and enforced.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Digital Government

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 937: Relating to: app stores and app developers and providing a penalty.

SB 937 requires app stores to verify the age category of users (e.g., child, teen, adult) when accounts are created and implement age verification methods. For minors (under 18), it mandates linking their accounts to a parent account and obtaining parental consent before purchases, app downloads, or in-app transactions. App stores must also notify parents of significant app changes (like updated content descriptions or new in-app purchases) and provide clear disclosures about data collection. This bill directly affects app stores, developers (who must provide age ratings and content descriptions), and parents of minors using mobile apps.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 936: Relating to: social media accounts for minors and providing a penalty.

SB 936 requires major social media platforms (with $1 billion+ annual revenue) to estimate the age of users who spend significant time on their service. After 25 hours of use within six months, platforms must determine if a user is under 18 with 80% confidence; if unsure, they must treat the user as a minor. For minors, platforms must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information and disable features like infinite scrolling and profile-based feeds. The bill directly affects minors under 18 using covered platforms in the state, imposing specific data handling and feature restrictions.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Social Media

passed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 963: Relating to: social media accounts for minors and providing a penalty.

AB 963 requires large social media platforms (with $1 billion+ annual revenue) to identify users under 18 and obtain parental permission before collecting their personal data. After a user spends 25 hours on the platform within six months, companies must estimate age with 80% confidence; if uncertain, they must treat the user as a minor. Platforms must then get verifiable parental consent for data collection, including location, browsing history, and biometric information. This bill directly affects minors under 18 in the state and major social media companies operating there, focusing on data handling rather than restricting access to platforms.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Social Media

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 369: Relating to: prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)

SB 369 prohibits state agencies from sharing personally identifiable information (PII) with the federal government unless the data is first masked or made anonymous. It directly affects state agencies (like departments, courts, and commissions), requiring them to anonymize PII before federal data sharing, except for limited exceptions like complying with other laws or carrying out official duties. The bill also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals harmed by negligent violations, allowing claims for actual damages, up to $1,000 in punitive damages, and attorney fees. This law aims to strengthen data privacy protections for residents by limiting how state data can be shared federally.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 679: Relating to: prohibiting a law enforcement agency from accessing personal data in exchange for payment without a warrant.

SB 679 prohibits law enforcement agencies from obtaining personal data from third parties (like tech companies or data brokers) in exchange for payment without a court warrant. It covers data such as location history, health records, financial details, browsing habits, and biometric information. Exceptions allow access if police have a warrant, face an emergency involving immediate danger, the data is publicly available, or the individual consented. This directly affects how police can legally acquire personal information from private entities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 378: Relating to: prohibiting the state from sharing data with the federal government that contains personally identifiable information if the data is not first masked or otherwise anonymized and authorizing a civil cause of action for negligent violations of that prohibition. (FE)

AB 378 requires all state agencies to mask or anonymize personally identifiable information (PII) before sharing it with the federal government, directly affecting state agencies handling sensitive data like health records or social services. The bill allows limited exceptions for sharing unmasked data when required by law, for legislative constituent services, or for court operations. It also creates a civil lawsuit option for individuals harmed by negligent violations, allowing recovery of actual damages, up to $1,000 in punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law aims to strengthen data privacy protections by limiting federal access to identifiable state records without explicit safeguards.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy Tags Privacy

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 172: Relating to: consumer data protection and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 172 creates a new consumer data protection law by defining key terms like "personal data," "biometric data," "sale of personal data," and "consumer" in section 100.80 of the statutes. This bill directly affects businesses that collect or process personal data of state residents, requiring them to follow standardized handling practices for such data. The law includes penalty provisions for violations, though specific penalty amounts and enforcement details are not provided in the available bill text.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 171: Relating to: privacy protections for judicial officers.

AB 171 allows Wisconsin judicial officers (such as judges) to request privacy protections for their personal information, including home addresses and secondary residences, from public disclosure. The bill requires government agencies and land records websites to remove such information from public records within 10 business days after receiving a notarized written request from a judicial officer. It defines specific criteria for third parties (like title companies or entities with confidentiality agreements) to access protected records under limited circumstances. This law directly affects judicial officers' privacy by creating a formal process to shield their personal details from public view, while maintaining access for authorized entities under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

All technology bills