Commerce Committee chairs in the House and Senate released a bipartisan bill Sunday evening that aims to protect Americans\u2019 personal data online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sen. Maria Cantwell\u2002<\/u><\/a>(D-Wash.) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers\u2002<\/u><\/a>(R-Wash.) unveiled the American Privacy Rights Act<\/u><\/a> Sunday that would set \u201cclear, national data privacy rights and protections for Americans.\u201d It will preempt states\u2019 data privacy laws and will establish a way for Americans to sue those who violate privacy laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lawmakers said the deal ends a years-long effort to reach a compromise on data privacy in Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation is the best opportunity we\u2019ve had in decades to establish a national data privacy and security standard that gives people the right to control their personal information,\u201d the lawmakers said in a joint statement. \u201cThis landmark legislation represents the sum of years of good faith efforts in both the House and Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt strikes a meaningful balance on issues that are critical to moving comprehensive data privacy legislation through Congress. Americans deserve the right to control their data and we\u2019re hopeful that our colleagues in the House and Senate will join us in getting this legislation signed into law,\u201d they continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legislation, if enacted, will set one national privacy standard that the lawmakers said is \u201cstronger\u201d than any state\u2019s existing laws. It will give Americans more control over their personal data, including allowing them to prevent a company from transferring or selling their data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would also allow people to opt out of targeted advertising and allow them to access their own data. Americans would also be able to sue \u201cbad actors who violate their privacy rights,\u201d and it prevents companies from enforcing mandatory arbitration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n