Skip to Content

CDT Encouraged by Bipartisan Federal Privacy Bill in Congress

WASHINGTON – The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) applauds the introduction of H.R. 8152, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, a bipartisan federal privacy bill,  in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Pallone (D-NJ-6), McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-5), Schakowsky (D-IL-9), and Bilirakis (R-FL-12). The bill will be marked up on Thursday at 10:30am in the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection.

Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of CDT, says:

“This version of the ADPPA is a significant improvement over the original draft from earlier this month. While there are many lingering issues that need to be addressed, particularly how to craft a private right of action that will allow for individuals to effectively enforce their rights under the bill, the overall structure and substantive provisions of the bill are moving in the right direction.

 We hope the bill continues to improve and look forward to seeing this vehicle move through the legislative process with an aim to pass a substantively strong and enforceable privacy law by year’s end.”

The legislation includes important improvements over the previous iteration, including requiring more affirmative obligations on companies through a strong data minimization requirement, and removing the general opt-in consent regime that would have led to consent walls that would have confused and distracted people. CDT will continue to review these and other provisions in anticipation of future discussions.

###

CDT is a 27-year-old 501(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit organization that fights to put democracy and human rights at the center of the digital revolution. It works to promote democratic values by shaping technology policy and architecture, with a focus on equity and justice.