Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 30. TRADE AND COMMERCE

CHAPTER 14. UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

Part 28. Consumer Data Privacy Act

Authorized Agent

30-14-2809. (Effective October 1, 2024) Authorized agent. (1) A consumer may designate another person to serve as the consumer's authorized agent and act on the consumer's behalf to opt out of the processing of the consumer's personal data for one or more of the purposes specified in 30-14-2808(1)(e). The consumer may designate an authorized agent by way of a technology, including but not limited to an internet link or a browser setting, browser extension, or global device setting indicating a customer's intent to opt out of such processing.

(2) A controller shall comply with an opt-out request received from an authorized agent if the controller is able to verify, with commercially reasonable effort, the identity of the consumer and the authorized agent's authority to act on the consumer's behalf.

(3) Opt-out methods must:

(a) provide a clear and conspicuous link on the controller's internet website to an internet web page that enables a consumer, or an agent of the consumer, to opt out of the targeted advertising or sale of the consumer's personal data; and

(b) by no later than January 1, 2025, allow a consumer to opt out of any processing of the consumer's personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising, or any sale of such personal data through an opt-out preference signal sent with the consumer's consent, to the controller by a platform, technology, or mechanism that:

(i) may not unfairly disadvantage another controller;

(ii) may not make use of a default setting, but require the consumer to make an affirmative, freely given and unambiguous choice to opt out of any processing of a customer's personal data pursuant to this part;

(iii) must be consumer-friendly and easy to use by the average consumer;

(iv) must be consistent with any federal or state law or regulation; and

(v) must allow the controller to accurately determine whether the consumer is a resident of the state and whether the consumer has made a legitimate request to opt out of any sale of a consumer's personal data or targeted advertising.

(4) (a) If a consumer's decision to opt out of any processing of the consumer's personal data for the purposes of targeted advertising, or any sale of personal data, through an opt-out preference signal sent in accordance with the provisions of subsection (3) conflicts with the consumer's existing controller-specific privacy setting or voluntary participation in a controller's bona fide loyalty, rewards, premium features, discounts, or club card program, the controller shall comply with the consumer's opt-out preference signal but may notify the consumer of the conflict and provide the choice to confirm controller-specific privacy settings or participation in such a program.

(b) If a controller responds to consumer opt-out requests received in accordance with subsection (3) by informing the consumer of a charge for the use of any product or service, the controller shall present the terms of any financial incentive offered pursuant to subsection (3) for the retention, use, sale, or sharing of the consumer's personal data.

History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 681, L. 2023.