New Bi-Partisan Privacy Bill Introduced

The  Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021 has been reintroduced and is being led by Senators Kennedy (R-LA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Manchin (D-WV and Burr (R-NC). The proposal seeks to improve the transparency of online platforms, strengthen consumers’ options when a data breach occurs and ensure companies comply with privacy policies that protect consumers.

According to the bill’s press release the proposal seeks the following: 

• Give consumers the right to opt out and keep their information private by disabling data tracking and collection,

• Provide users greater access to and control over their data,

• Require terms of service agreements to be in plain language,

• Ensure users have the ability to see what information about them has already been collected and shared,

• Mandate that users be notified of a breach of their information within 72 hours,

• Offer remedies for users when a breach occurs, and

• Require that online platforms have a privacy program in place.

Lanton Law’s technology practice has been monitoring privacy developments nationwide. If you are an industry stakeholder with questions about the current landscape or if you would like to discuss how your organization’s strategic initiatives might be impacted by either Congress, regulatory agencies or legal decisions, contact us today.