U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have introduced a bill that would direct businesses to ramp up transparency and accountability for their data practices, while providing Americans with more choice and control over their online data.
“As COVID-19 increases activity online and opportunities to misuse personal data continue to surge, it is time to pass a uniform, national privacy law,” said Sen. Wicker, chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, on Sept. 17. “More than ever, we need to stop bad actors and restore consumers’ trust in the internet marketplace.”
Sen. Wicker sponsored the Setting an American Framework to Ensure Data Access, Transparency, and Accountability (SAFE DATA) Act, S. 4626, with cosponsors Sen. Fischer and Sen. Blackburn, which also would enhance the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) authority and provide additional resources to enforce the act.
“I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, which would create a comprehensive federal data privacy framework that restores consumer trust and sets guardrails for responsible data use,” Sen. Fischer said. “The bill also includes my bipartisan DETOUR Act with Senator Warner to protect consumers against deceptive user interfaces online known as ‘dark patterns.’”
The bill also includes provisions from Sen. Blackburn’s BROWSER Act, which requires technology companies to provide users with clear notice of their privacy policies, the ability to opt-in to the collection of sensitive information, and to opt-out of the collection of non-sensitive information.
“The Federal Trade Commission is the right entity to enforce these rules and ensures we have a consistent national law regarding online privacy,” said Sen. Blackburn. “The SAFE DATA Act is an important next step in giving users more control over their data and strengthening the FTC’s ability to respond to harmful changes in technology.”
If enacted, S. 4626 would prohibit businesses from processing or transferring consumers’ sensitive data without their consent, and from denying consumers products or services for exercising their privacy rights, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Wicker’s office.
Additionally, the bill would minimize the amount of consumer data businesses can collect, process and retain, and would limit secondary uses of consumer data without their consent, among other provisions, according to the summary.
“I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation so that we can instill confidence in consumers and in the long-term sustainability of our digital economy,” said Sen. Wicker.