Federal Data Privacy Bill Raises Concern It Needs Tightening Up

Lawmakers, civil rights advocates, and technology industry groups welcomed a new federal data privacy proposal while calling for tougher provisions, fueling uncertainty about its prospects.

“There are several key areas where I believe it can be strengthened,” Rep. Frank Pallone (N.J.), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said during a Wednesday subcommittee hearing to review the new draft legislation and several other online privacy bills.

Last Congress, Pallone worked with Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) on a national data privacy framework, which the panel overwhelmingly approved but the House and Senate failed to consider. This ...