Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, has joined 21 other partners of the United for Privacy Coalition in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The coalition urges Congress to include a single, uniform national privacy standard in the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) to address the growing patchwork of state privacy laws.

In their letter, the United for Privacy coalition states: “Although our organizations have a range of views on APRA, we all agree that full preemption of state law is an essential component of any meaningful federal privacy legislative effort. We agree with the legislation’s goal of providing a uniform national privacy standard. However, as drafted, APRA falls short of creating a uniform national standard due to its inadequate federal preemption of the ever-growing patchwork of state privacy laws. Without full preemption of state laws, APRA will add to the privacy patchwork, create confusion for consumers, and hinder economic growth.”

TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore commented: “Since 2018, 46 states have considered 210 comprehensive data privacy bills. Twenty state legislatures have passed different, often conflicting data privacy laws, including seven states just this year. This growing patchwork is confusing consumers and having a chilling effect on our economy. If this trend continues, a 50-state privacy patchwork would cost the American economy more than $1 trillion over 10 years, with $200 billion being paid by small businesses.

“The need for one national privacy standard has never been greater. Unfortunately, as drafted, the American Privacy Rights Act falls short of this goal. It would add to the growing privacy patchwork, not end it. We need a federal privacy law that works for all of America. That is why industries across our economy are united in urging Congress to make substantive changes to the American Privacy Rights Act before it can move forward.”

United for Privacy is a TechNet-led initiative bringing together a unified cross-industry voice emphasizing the urgent need for federal data privacy legislation this Congress. Members have long advocated for comprehensive federal data privacy law to protect consumers and provide businesses with certainty about compliance responsibilities.

Last summer, United for Privacy held an event on Capitol Hill featuring lawmakers and business representatives discussing the necessity of federal data privacy law.

The coalition includes ACT | The App Association; Alliance for Automotive Innovation; American Escrow Association; American Financial Services Association; Association of National Advertisers; BSA | The Software Alliance; Business Roundtable; California Life Sciences Association; Center for American Entrepreneurship; Chamber of Progress; Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA); Consumer Technology Association; Electronic Transactions Association; Engine; Entertainment Software Association; Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB); Marketplace Industry Association; National Apartment Association; National Business Coalition on E-Commerce and Privacy; National Electrical Manufacturers Association; National Multifamily Housing Council; NetChoice; Security Industry Association; Software & Information Industry Association; TECNA; Travel Tech; U.S. Chamber of Commerce and XR Association.

Since 2018:

- 210 comprehensive privacy bills have been considered across 46 states.

- In 2024 alone, 13 states introduced 21 comprehensive bills with seven passing new legislation.

- A potential nationwide patchwork could cost over $1 trillion in ten years with $200 billion impacting small businesses.

- Small businesses' average spending on compliance rose from $1.1 million in 2020 to $1.5 million in 2023.

- Over 83 percent of voters consider privacy legislation as an important Congressional priority.

Further details can be found at endtheprivacypatchwork.com.