Washington, D.C. – Lawmakers from both political parties have taken a significant step towards giving Americans more control over their personal data and its usage by tech companies. After years of deliberation, draft national privacy legislation has been released by lawmakers from two congressional committees. The proposed bill, known as the American Privacy Rights Act, includes various policies that aim to empower internet users in the data sharing process.
One of the key provisions of the legislation is the establishment of a national standard that allows individuals to determine where their personal information is sent. Additionally, the bill enables internet users to opt out of targeted advertising. The draft legislation also imposes restrictions on the data that companies can collect, keep, and use. Companies will be limited to collecting and using only the information necessary to provide their products and services. Furthermore, the proposed bill prohibits companies from using personal data to discriminate against individuals.
If enacted, the legislation would have other important implications. It would require individuals to be notified when their data is transferred to foreign adversaries. Moreover, individuals would have the power to prevent companies from using their personal data if the company changes its privacy policy. The draft legislation also aims to strengthen privacy protections by allowing consumers to sue if their privacy rights are violated. Additionally, a new privacy office would be established at the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general would be authorized to enforce the legislation.
This proposed legislation has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for consistent online privacy protections across state lines. Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers from the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Maria Cantwell from the Senate Commerce Committee have jointly praised the bill. McMorris Rodgers stated, “Online privacy protections shouldn’t differ across state lines. What we see is a patchwork of state laws developing, and this draft…will establish privacy protections that are stronger than any state law on the books.”
However, there are some critics who believe that certain areas of the bill could be strengthened. Representative Frank Pallone, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, commended the draft legislation but pointed out that improvements could be made, especially regarding children’s privacy.
Despite bipartisan support, it remains to be seen whether the draft legislation will pass both chambers of Congress. The proposal represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate about national privacy regulations, which have typically been a subject of contention between Republicans and Democrats. While Congress has been deliberating, several states have taken matters into their own hands by enacting their own data privacy laws. Notably, California passed a comprehensive data privacy law in 2018, and other states such as Virginia, Utah, Colorado, and Connecticut have followed suit.
The release of this draft legislation signifies a potential shift towards a unified national framework for privacy protections. However, the bill’s fate still rests on the ability of lawmakers to come to a consensus and garner broad support in Congress.