Following the recent approval of a bill aimed at compelling TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, the House of Representatives has greenlit another significant measure.
The US Capitol is seen in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2018 before the opening of the second session of the 115th Congress. (Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
This legislation specifically targets data brokers, seeking to bar them from selling Americans' personally identifiable information to nations such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Under this bill, data brokers found engaging in such activities could face penalties imposed by the FTC.
The bipartisan bill swiftly gained traction in the House, with unanimous support from all 414 lawmakers who cast their votes in favor of its passage. The aim is to bolster cybersecurity measures, protect American internet users, and fortify national security.
Led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the bill unanimously cleared the committee, alongside the recently passed TikTok bill, garnering broad support from lawmakers.
In a joint statement, McMorris Rodgers and Pallone emphasized that the legislation complements the recent passage of H.R. 7521, reflecting bipartisan consensus. They underscored their commitment to collaborating on broader national data privacy legislation in the future.
Enforcing Data Privacy Measures
In contrast to the TikTok-focused legislation, this bill refrains from singling out specific companies but instead places a wide-ranging restriction on data brokers. It prohibits them from engaging in various activities related to sensitive data belonging to U.S. individuals, preventing its transfer to foreign adversaries or affiliated entities.
Additionally, the legislation grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sensitive information encompassed by the bill includes biometric and genetic data, Social Security numbers, details of health conditions or therapies, and precise location data.
Should the bill successfully navigate the Senate and receive the president's signature, it promises a notable enhancement in data privacy protections for Americans. However, it's worth noting that the current standards for such protections remain modest.
While discussions surrounding a broader privacy law have languished in recent times, leaders in the Energy and Commerce Committee express optimism that the resounding support for the data broker bill could spur Congress into action on more ambitious privacy legislation.
McMorris Rodgers and Pallone underscored their encouragement by the robust vote, expressing hope that it will catalyze momentum towards enacting both this crucial bipartisan legislation and more comprehensive privacy measures during this congressional session.
With a resounding majority of 352 votes in favor, 65 against, and 1 present, the bill addresses concerns regarding national security implications linked to ByteDance, the Chinese conglomerate that owns TikTok.
Congress has overwhelmingly supported the bill with 352 votes in favor, 65 against, and 1 present, signaling a bipartisan effort to address national security concerns associated with ByteDance.
Representative McMorris Rodgers underscored the importance of the measure, asserting that it sends a strong message that they will not allow adversaries to exploit Americans' freedoms.
