A bipartisan effort led by Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers has produced a preliminary version of the American Privacy Rights Act, aimed at empowering consumers to manage their data privacy.

The draft legislation permits consumers to opt out of data collection, edit, or delete their data, and mandates increased transparency from companies regarding their data practices.

Notably, all consumers, including minors, will have equal rights to protect their data.

The legislation targets large companies, defined as those earning more than $40 million annually, but also extends protections to transactions involving smaller companies selling data to larger ones, the Washington Examiner has reported.

If enacted, the Federal Trade Commission would oversee enforcement, a departure from previous oversight by the Federal Communications Commission.

The proposed law follows in the footsteps of successful data privacy regulations in Europe.

Written by B.C. Begley