On Thursday, House Senate (House of representatives)Â panel passed a bipartisan online privacy bill. It aimed at limiting the collection of personal data. Though it is unclear whether it will become law.
The bill would require companies such as Alphabet’s Google and Meta’s Facebook, among others, to collect only the personal data required to provide services. Sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, would be further safeguarded. However, the legislation faces a steep uphill battle to become law.
Nonetheless, consumer advocates say the proposed compromise legislation is the most significant step forward in efforts to pass a federal privacy law. Those efforts have been stymied by partisan differences. For years, Democrats and Republicans have disagreed on whether a federal privacy law should override state laws. Such as the landmark California Consumer Privacy Act, and whether consumers should be able to sue violators on their own.
On a voice vote, the measure easily passed a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. It will now be heard by the full committee. Previous attempts to pass privacy legislation were stymied by a buzzsaw of opposition from tech companies. It provides free services by advertising on consumer data.
Republicans support federal preemption of state privacy laws. Hence, fearing that a patchwork of standards will make compliance difficult for businesses. Whereas Democrats have advocated for a broad private right of action to provide consumers with legal recourse if government enforcement fails.
House Senate Energy and Commerce Committee released bipartisan discussion draft
Staffers on the House Senate Energy and Commerce Committee released a bipartisan discussion draft for data privacy legislation in late 2019. But this is the first time a proposal supported by panel leaders has received bipartisan support. Since 2019, little progress has been made. Despite the fact that a slew of data privacy scandals has consumed industry behemoths like Facebook and Google. Thus, infuriating lawmakers on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.
Much of the debate over these bills centered on whether government law would rectify state laws. There are sometimes stronger, or whether individuals would be able to sue for violations of their privacy. The bill’s fate is uncertain due to criticism from powerful House Senate Democrats. As it includes Senator Maria Cantwell, who believes the bill’s enforcement is insufficient.
House senate Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Frank Pallone, Representative Jan Schakowsky, both Democrats, and Republican Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Gus Bilirakis are the primary sponsors.
