Key lawmakers put forward bipartisan American Privacy Rights Act

A bipartisan consumer privacy bill released by two key members of Congress would provide the broad, comprehensive protections businesses and Americans have called for, according to its sponsors.

On Sunday, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, unveiled the “American Privacy Rights Act.” The bill would “[eliminate] the existing patchwork” of state privacy laws and include strong enforcement measures, according to a press release.

Among other provisions, the bill would seek to hold executives accountable if the law’s consumer protections were not followed.