Worry over Wyoming data law

Researchers have expressed concern that a new law on data collection may impede research in Wyoming.

The law, passed in March, makes it illegal to collect data, including photographs, samples or information, on private or public land without permission. It also makes any such data collected without permission inadmissible in a courtroom, and requires government agencies to erase such data from their collections or databases.

“It seems like this law could have wide-reaching implications. The language is very vague. I think it’s possible it could impact academic researchers. I’d be concerned about the way it might get used,” says Gretchen Goldman, an analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists.