Key Lawmakers Strike Deal on National Data Privacy Standard (1)

The top Republican and Democrat on two powerful congressional committees have struck a deal on setting a national data privacy standard—a major step forward in a yearslong debate over how to protect Americans’ personal information online.

The landmark agreement, reached by House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), would for the first time establish federal consumer data privacy rights and allow Americans to sue companies, such as Alphabet Inc.'s Google or Meta Platforms Inc., over violations.

“This bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation is the best opportunity we’ve had in decades to ...