Last week, the Maine Legislature passed a bill to prevent predatory marketing practices involving minors. An "Act to Prevent Predatory Marketing Practices against Minors," sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Schneider (Orono), prohibits collection of health-related and personal information from minors and then using that information unscrupulously.
I applaud the legislation as an indication that both policymakers and members of the public are growing tired of industry tactics which not only jeopardize privacy, but also increase health care costs. As a parent of two children, I’m concerned about marketing strategies that focus on minors....