Congresswoman introduces new comprehensive online privacy protections

US Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has introduced the Balancing the Rights of Web Surfers Equally and Responsibly (BROWSER) Act, a bill that would protect consumers’ sensitive data from being sold without users’ permission by Internet service and edge providers. The bill would apply evenly across the entire Internet ecosystem, requiring companies to gain opt-in approval to share sensitive data and opt-out approval to share “non-sensitive” data. It also brings the jurisdiction of online privacy regulation entirely under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Democrats in the Senate and House introduced similar bills last month. The Managing Your Data Against Telecom Abuses (MY DATA) Act would give the FTC jurisdiction to regulate broadband and edge providers, a policy change that would allow uniform privacy protection across the Internet ecosystem, from ISPs to websites. However, the FCC would also retain jurisdiction over the privacy regulations of ISPs – a distinct difference from the BROWSER Act.

Whether through the BROWSER Act or the MY DATA Act, the Communications Workers of America has strongly supported comprehensive online privacy protections, urging lawmakers to take action to protect consumers after Republicans repealed the FCC’s privacy rules.

Links:

Blackburn introduces bill to protect online privacy (US House, May 19, 2017)

BROWSER Act (US House, May 18, 2017)

Democratic Senators Blumenthal, Udall introduce comprehensive online privacy bill (Speed Matters, Apr. 28, 2017)

CWA urges comprehensive online privacy protections (Speed Matters, Apr. 21, 2017)