Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced the markup of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), a bill intended to create a comprehensive federal consumer privacy framework. The bill incorporates elements from previous congressional efforts at comprehensive privacy legislation, such as the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA), but lacks key provisions including civil rights protections and preserving the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in ensuring telecommunications privacy. Public Knowledge opposes this bill and urges Congress to pass privacy legislation that ensures civil rights and security online for all.
The following quote can be attributed to Sara Collins, Director of Government Affairs at Public Knowledge:
“It is disappointing to see the House Energy and Commerce Committee move forward with the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA). The bill has significant deficiencies. First, the removal of civil rights protections is unacceptable. Privacy rights are civil rights. It is disheartening to see the committee remove these important protections.
Second, APRA needlessly eliminates the Federal Communications Commission’s important role in protecting consumer privacy, cybersecurity and national security. For 90 years, the FCC has protected the privacy of communications, and has technical expertise and experience that would compliment the FTC. APRA would remove an important protector of personal privacy and security without any concurrent consumer benefits.
While we appreciate Rep. McMorris-Rogers and Pallone’s dedication to passing a privacy bill, Public Knowledge cannot accept a privacy bill that does not, at a minimum, protect our civil rights and the privacy promised in our communications systems.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.