Listening to Consumer Privacy Advocates

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On Oct 10, privacy advocates got their turn to speak before the Senate Commerce Committee, laying out the necessity of a national privacy law that goes beyond the protections already offered by some states. The hearing highlighted that consumer advocates and industry representatives don’t always see eye-to-eye on how protective a national law should be. But who will get to influence the legislation while it is drafted? “I want to be clear that the next federal privacy law will not be written by industry,” Chairman John Thune (R-SD) said. “Any federal privacy law should incorporate views from affected industry stakeholders and consumer advocates in an effort to promote privacy without stifling innovation.” Obviously, with elections just around the corner and a lame duck Congress returning in November, we will not see comprehensive privacy legislation this year. But these recent hearings could help inform proposals that the 116th Congress considers next year and beyond. 


Listening to Consumer Privacy Advocates