(NewsNation) — A pair of lawmakers are seeking to strengthen online data privacy protections to rein in tech companies’ ability to collect and use the personal data of millions of Americans.
What’s the American Privacy Rights Act?
The American Privacy Rights Act would establish national consumer data privacy rights and set standards for data security, putting Americans in control of their personal data online, including how it’s used and where it goes.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the bill’s co-sponsor and chair of the House Commerce Committee, told NewsNation the bicameral and bilateral bill’s goal is to avoid harmful data breaches and prevent consumers’ private data from being sold.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is sponsoring the bill in Congress’ upper chamber.
The legislation would minimize how much data companies can collect and, for the first time, allow Americans to sue when their privacy rights are violated online.
Why is the law being introduced?
Rodgers and Cantwell argue the legislation is needed to prevent Americans’ personal online data from being shared and sold without their knowledge.
“This is important to all Americans, but especially our children. Parents are calling upon Congress to act because we know that too many people are being targeted, especially our kids, and predicted and manipulated for dangerous purposes,” Rodgers said.
The bill would hold companies accountable and establish strong data security obligations, such as mandating security standards to prevent data from being hacked or stolen and ensure people know when their data has been transferred to foreign adversaries.
If the bill is signed into law, tech companies would be required to ask people individually for permission to use their data collected online.
“There would be a limited amount of data that would be collected to begin with. Sensitive data, like your location data, your search engine history, personal information that identifies you, they would have to seek your permission before they collect that data upon you,” Rodgers said. “It puts individuals back in control.”