Overview of Rhode Island ID scanning laws
Rhode Island has 4 laws which we consider relevant to ID verification, in addition to other laws which may related to age verification, identity verification, KYC, privacy, and biometrics.
Can you scan IDs in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island law regulates a business’s ability to scan IDs and retain information obtained from the scan. Nongovernmental entities (other than entities allowed to renew driver’s licenses and financial institutions for verifying information for financial transactions) can scan an ID only for the purpose of verifying the age of an individual and to access only the following information: name, age, date of birth, signature, photo, and ID expiration date.
Can you save data from a scanned ID in Rhode Island?
No. Generally, businesses cannot save data from a scanned ID.
Does Rhode Island offer affirmative defense for ID scanning?
Yes. Rhode Island offers affirmative defense laws for ID scanning for tobacco sales.
What types of IDs does Rhode Island issue?
Rhode Island issues drivers licenses and state IDs, including REAL ID.
Individual Rhode Island ID verification laws
Age verification for alcohol sales
Businesses in Rhode Island are permitted to scan IDs for age verification for alcohol sales but cannot store the ID data.
Age verification for tobacco sales
Businesses in Rhode Island are permitted to scan IDs for age verification for tobacco sales but cannot store the ID data. Scanning IDs will offer affirmative defense.
ID scanning for scrap metal
Purchasers of ferrous or non-ferrous metals in Rhode Island are required to verify identification and maintain records from every seller.
Age verification for social media
This bill would require social media companies to verify the age of users and require parental consent from users under 18.
Data privacy laws in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (RIDTPPA) grants consumers the rights to:
- Confirm whether a controller is processing their personal data and to access said data
- Correct inaccurate personal data
- Delete personal data
- Data portability
- Opt-out of the processing of their personal data for purposes of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling from their data
Sensitive data and children’s data are further protected in Rhode Island. The personal data of a known child, precise geolocation data, biometric and genetic data, and data revealing ethnicity, health diagnoses, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and citizenship status are all subject to affirmative, opt-in consent.
