Tomorrow, the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on a bipartisan, bicameral discussion draft of a comprehensive national data privacy and security bill released by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ), full Committee Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) on June 3, 2022. Here is what leaders are saying about the first comprehensive privacy proposal to gain bipartisan, bicameral support in decades:
Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT):
“The draft bill includes important protections such as a requirement for companies to minimize the data they collect, limitations on uses of that data, and individuals’ rights to access, correct, delete, and port their data. The bill also requires large companies to assess the harms their use of algorithms might cause people and to take steps to mitigate those harms. Importantly, it includes civil rights language to protect against discriminatory or biased use of data.”
Fair Play for Kids:
“We are pleased that many top priorities to create a safer internet for children and families are included in the draft comprehensive privacy legislation released today. Most notably, the bill would ban data driven advertising to children under the age of 17. Surveillance advertising not only allows marketers to target young people’s greatest vulnerabilities, but it fuels a system that manipulates children and teens into spending too much time online and exposes them to harmful content. We are also glad to see additional protections for children and teens, including the establishment of a division of Youth Privacy and Marketing at the Federal Trade Commission.”
Free Press:
“To say that it’s high time for real progress on a federal privacy bill would be a tremendous understatement. We’ve been waiting for more than a decade for Congress to tackle online privacy and data-security issues. The country sorely needs Congress to create protections against the exploitation and discrimination caused by companies’ unfettered collection, buying, selling, sharing and outright abuse of people’s most personal information.
“We’ve only scratched the surface in our review of the full draft released today. Based on that preliminary look we’re very pleased with the structure and coverage of the bill. The American Data Privacy and Protection Act would prohibit data collection, use, selling and sharing in any way that violates civil rights.”
Common Sense Media:
“Common Sense is encouraged by the draft bipartisan comprehensive privacy legislation unveiled today. We will continue to review it in greater detail but we believe it has a number of important elements that are very promising, including for children and teens. At the same time, we think negotiators can and must strengthen sections of this draft that specifically pertain to minors.
"We have made the case for years that stronger privacy protections for kids and families is the first step to making the internet a healthier and safer place for young people and all consumers. We have been disappointed that this issue, which the vast majority of Americans believe should be addressed, has eluded agreement for too long. This is the year that there should be, once and for all, a national privacy law agreement.
"The perfect should not be the enemy of the good. We believe this draft should include stronger protections, but that there is a lot here, and certainly enough for leaders in the House and Senate to do the hard work now and reach a landmark privacy agreement this year."
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC):
“It is very encouraging to see a bipartisan proposal that recognizes that we are facing a data privacy crisis in this country and requires changes to Big Tech’s harmful business practices. EPIC urges Congress to act quickly on a strong, comprehensive privacy law with robust enforcement.”
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
“Privacy rights are civil rights. The Lawyers’ Committee is encouraged by this bipartisan effort to protect our personal data and curb the rampant data-driven discrimination that occurs due to a lack of privacy protections. We need Congress to act now to ensure that everyone has an equal right to use the internet free from discrimination. That starts with a robust privacy bill with civil rights protections, substantive data protections and a robust enforcement regime.
“Now is the time to come together, work together, and deliver results for all Americans.
“When individuals don’t have control of their own data, it opens up a world of possibilities for that data to be weaponized against them. For example, algorithms determining eligibility for essential needs such as housing, employment, credit, healthcare, education, and public accommodations are often discriminatory. The ramifications of these biases disproportionately impact Black and brown communities, as well as other marginalized and disenfranchised groups."
Click here to read the discussion draft bill text.
Original source can be found here.
