New Jersey Assembly Bill A1917

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Prohibits soliciting or phishing for personal identifying information.

Impact

Upon enactment, A1917 will introduce a new disorderly persons offense specific to soliciting personal identifying information for deceitful reasons. Under this provision, anyone found guilty of inducing another person to provide their PII with the intent to benefit themselves or another person, or to cause harm, could face penalties including up to six months of imprisonment and fines reaching $1,000. This reflects New Jersey's commitment to enhancing its legal framework in response to evolving cyber threats.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1917 aims to combat identity theft by prohibiting the solicitation or phishing of personal identifying information (PII). This legislative effort recognizes the increasing prevalence of phishing schemes, which often target unsuspecting individuals seeking to obtain personal data for fraudulent purposes. By criminalizing such solicitations, the bill seeks to provide stronger protections for individuals against privacy invasions and identity fraud.

Contention

While the bill emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal data, there may be concerns regarding the definition and parameters of 'personal identifying information' as outlined in N.J.S.2C:20-1. The wide-ranging interpretation of what constitutes PII could lead to unintentional consequences for individuals or entities engaging in legitimate data collection practices. Critics may argue that the legislation needs clear exemptions or guidelines to prevent misunderstandings in its application, particularly in an increasingly digital landscape.