Georgia faces lawsuit from internet group over data collection law
- An internet trade group is suing Georgia over a law that mandates sites to collect data on high-volume sellers.
- The law specifically targets sellers who receive payments in cash or other offline methods.
- The lawsuit aims to block the implementation of this data collection requirement.
An internet trade group is taking legal action against Georgia to stop a law that says online classified sites must collect data on sellers who make many sales online but get paid in cash or offline. They say this law, set to start on July 1, goes against a federal law, and it's not clear. They also think it violates the rights of sellers, buyers, and online services. The law could make sellers pay up to $5,000 for each violation. The goal of the law is to stop thieves who steal from stores and then sell the goods online. They want to make it harder for these criminals to sell stolen items online. The law applies to sellers who make at least 200 sales worth $5,000 in a year. This includes sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor, and OfferUp. Some people think the law doesn't consider places where you meet to pay in cash or apps like Venmo. They say this law closes a gap in the old law. NetChoice thinks the law is too hard because it makes online services investigate and keep track of sales that happen off their platform. They also say the law goes against the right to speak for sellers and the right to hear for buyers. If this law starts, it could create problems, help some businesses more than others, and limit free speech. The law doesn't focus on giving police the tools they need to catch retail thieves.