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Issues remain with ag data privacy and ownership

An attorney specializing in agricultural law says there are still many unanswered questions about ag data privacy and ownership.

Todd Janzen of Indiana-based Janzen Ag Law says one of those issues is that the definition of “personal information” varies from state to state.

“Personal information is unique in that it is generally regulated by state laws,” Janzen says. “So one state may define personal information different from another one and you are kind of left guessing whether or not ag data fits into some of those definitions. In others, it’s clearly not part of those definitions.”

Janzen says that could eventually lead to federal intervention in the ag data space, something he is not in favor of.

“No, I wouldn’t be at this point, because I think the industry is aware of these problems and you see a lot of efforts made by the ag industry itself to try to bring some resolution to these issues,” he says. “If those work, then I don’t think there’s really a need for federal legislation.”

Janzen is working with Farm Bureau and other ag groups to create an online tool that will allow farmers to compare how different companies use farm data.  He says he will be discussing that project at next week’s Commodity Classic event in New Orleans.

AUDIO: Todd Janzen