WASHINGTON—Following the release of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement criticizing the bill. Senior Policy Manager Ashley Johnson expressed concerns about the current state of the APRA, stating, "in its current state, it is not the compromise America needs."
Johnson further highlighted that while the bill attempts to strike a compromise on key issues, it falls short in some aspects. She pointed out that the bill includes a private right of action that is broader than previous privacy bills, potentially making it the most expensive provision if passed into law.
Emphasizing the urgency for a national standard on privacy laws, Johnson urged Congress to prioritize the issue and make necessary changes to the APRA. She stated, "APRA needs significant changes to strike a balance that brings the greatest benefit to consumers, businesses, and the economy."
The ITIF representative also suggested that with further compromise from the bill's bipartisan cosponsors, a more balanced version of the APRA could be achieved in the near future. Johnson concluded by stressing the importance of avoiding a fragmented regulatory landscape, stating, "Congress needs to act fast to set a national standard that addresses concrete privacy harms without hindering innovation."
