Washington, DC - After the Senate Commerce Committee announced a hearing on the need for federal data privacy legislation, Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) and Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement:
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, every American has personally experienced the importance of technology. In this new normal, we need real protections for children learning online, for professionals doing business virtually, and seniors and other vulnerable communities relying on telehealth. It is past time for Congress to create a national data privacy standard that ensures Americans’ data, no matter which state you are in, remains protected from bad actors and provides much needed certainty for small businesses and innovators.
“We applaud our Senate colleagues for recognizing the importance of a federal data privacy framework and holding a hearing to explore ways to make this happen. Unfortunately, House Democrats continue to put trial lawyers’ interests ahead of what is best for American consumers. House Democrats should take note and complete our work on what should be a bipartisan, bicameral priority. We can and should work together to achieve a solution for all Americans on this critical issue," said Walden and Rodgers.
Background:
In July 2020, Walden and Rodgers called for a national framework after the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) took effect.
In July 2020, Rodgers called out House Democrats for instead introducing partisan bills after good-faith negotiations for a bipartisan online privacy agreement this year.
In June 2020, Walden and Rodgers wrote to Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Founder and CEO Eric Yuan asking questions regarding the company’s data privacy practices and potential coordination with the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party.
In May 2020, Walden and Rodgers wrote to ByteDance Founder and CEO Mr. Yiming Zhang asking 22 questions related to TikTok’s potential violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA); TikTok’s collection and use of American’s information and whether such information is being shared with the Chinese Communist Party; TikTok’s corporate governance; and issues related to the COVID-19 crisis.
