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Next Steps for the American Privacy Rights Act House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined NewsNation’s Markie Martin on Wake Up America this morning to discuss the Committee’s legislative hearing on the American Privacy Rights Act as well as next steps for the draft legislation. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: PUTTING AMERICANS IN CONTROL OF THEIR DATA “[This bill] would mean that you would be able to know what profile [companies] have collected on you. “There would be a limited amount of data that would be collected to begin with, sensitive data, like your location data and your search engine history—personal information that identifies you. [...] “It puts individuals back in control. This is important to all Americans. “Parents are calling upon Congress to act because we know that too many people are being targeted, especially our kids, and manipulated for dangerous purposes.” DANGERS OF UNCHECKED DATA COLLECTION "Ultimately it is Big Tech that is manipulating how you think and how you act. “We heard testimony yesterday at the hearing from a young lady, Ava, who talked about the troves of data, really an arsenal of data, that had been collected on her by her search history, but also just staying on a post for too long. “They were able to identify her vulnerabilities and ultimately take her down this path that led to an eating disorder. “And unfortunately, these are the kinds of stories that are repeated over and over where they're able to predict how we think and how we act and, too many times, bad actors are using it for purposes that are very destructive.” NEXT STEPS FOR THE AMERICAN PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT “Members on both sides of the aisle know that we need to act. “I'm really excited that we've been able to hammer out an agreed upon proposal that is bipartisan and also bicameral. House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats coming together. “We've been working on this for years, but now is the time to act. “At yesterday's hearing in the House, members on both sides of the aisle expressed so much encouragement for a draft proposal, a national privacy standard, that we will be able to put into place to protect all Americans online, but especially our children. “Many members have been involved in efforts through the years but the time to act is now and we've reached an agreement on a draft bill that we plan to keep moving through this process. “As the Chair of the Committee, we had the hearing, now we're going to start working through actually introducing the bill, as well as the kids’ online safety bills, and moving them through the legislative process to get them onto the Floor and ultimately the President's desk.”  

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights.” “Right now, the average American spends nearly seven hours online a day, with two and a half hours of that time being spent on social media platforms. “The consequences range from increased suicide rates and depression, to increased polarization and loss of trust in our institutions. “All the while, these companies are collecting nearly every data point imaginable which they use to then control what we see and when we see it. “Many of these tools were created with good intentions to bring people together. “But over time they have strayed from their core mission in the interest of more control over our lives. “This isn’t the American dream. America was built on individual liberty and freedom, freedom of thought, expression, and speech.” REFLECTING BACK ON WHERE WE STARTED “Our founders fought for these freedoms because they were tired of living under the crushing weight of tyranny. “They were tired of being told how to think and how to live by a few elites who thought they knew best and who exploited others for their own power and wealth. “Fast forward to today, we find ourselves living in a similar, modern form of digital tyranny, where a handful of companies and bad actors are exploiting our personal information, monetizing it, and using it to manipulate how we think and act.” HOW WE GET BACK ON TRACK “Many companies are using their control over our data to erode people’s agency, their rights, and their identity. “It’s time for that status quo to change. “Today, we will be discussing several pieces of legislation, including the American Privacy Rights Act, to give people the RIGHT to control their personal information online and not have it used against them. “We’re putting people back in control of who they are, what they think, and how they live their lives. “This is especially necessary for our children. “As a mom of three school-aged children, Big Tech platforms are my biggest fear. “The algorithms developed by these companies are specifically designed to get kids addicted to their platforms, and they’ve been used to target children with content that leads to dangerous, life-threatening behaviors. “For me and my husband, as well as millions of parents across the country, this is a battle for our kids’ development, their mental health, and ultimately, their safety. “We must build a better future for our children. They are our future. THE AMERICAN PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT “The American Privacy Rights Act is foundational for protecting our kids online. “Working together with other important legislation, like the Kids Online Safety Act, the Children’s and Teen’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and other bills, which we’re also discussing today, these solutions will ensure the best protections to date for our children. “Today we find ourselves at a crossroads. “We can either continue down the path we’re on, letting companies and bad actors continue to collect troves of our data unchecked while they trample on core American values, like free expression, free speech, and identity, or we can give people the right to control their information online. “Congress has been trying to develop and pass comprehensive data privacy and security legislation for decades. “With the American Privacy Rights Act, we are at a unique moment in history where we finally have the opportunity to imagine the internet as a force for prosperity and good. “I’d like to thank Senator Cantwell for working with me on this landmark draft bill. “I would also like to thank Ranking Member Pallone, who has been a trusted partner over the years as we have worked together on privacy. “We would not be here today without his tireless efforts and leadership, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to strengthen privacy protections for Americans. “I’d also like to thank the members of this committee—Republicans and Democrats—many of whom have also been involved in these efforts over several congresses. “I look forward to continuing to work together to get this legislation through Congress and signed into law.”

Tune in to the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Legislative Hearing on Proposals to Protect People Online Meet Ava Smithing.   A Nashville, Tennessee-native, she grew up playing volleyball, including at the Stevens Institute of Technology where she earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 2023.  She’s now among those leading the charge to ensure that Americans—especially young people—can use social media platforms without being targeted or manipulated.   In her role as Director of Advocacy at the Young People’s Alliance, Ava is stepping up to confront a challenge that she and so many other young people face today: social media companies exploiting Americans’ mental health.  Big Tech platforms collected and then weaponized Ava’s data—like her age, location, and gender—against her. According to Ava, “they used my data to infer what other types of ads and content I might ‘like,’ leading me down a pipeline from bikini ads, to exercise videos, to dieting tips, and finally to eating disorder content.”  By monitoring her post engagements and what she spent time viewing, social media companies could track Ava’s vulnerabilities. These platforms were able to drive her into a downward spiral that resulted in a threat to her well-being. In her case, watching one video for just a little too long encouraged the algorithm to funnel harmful content into Ava’s feed.  Ava says, “How was I—a 14-year-old child—supposed to understand that social media platforms would use my age, location, and gender to target me with advertisements designed to instill insecurity in me?”  Today, Ava is flipping the script. As an advocate, she is leading to promote kids’ safety online through a national data privacy standard so people can control their data and be protected from manipulative algorithms.  Last week, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced a comprehensive data privacy bill, the American Privacy Rights Act.    Support for establishing privacy rights has more momentum than ever, in no small part because people like Ava are speaking up about the consequences of companies’ unchecked power.  Among its protections, the American Privacy Rights Act will establish the ability for users opt-out of targeted advertising. Ava said that if such an option existed when she first joined social media, she may never have been put in harm’s way.  The bill also requires companies to review their algorithms to ensure they do not endanger children through malicious content suggestions. This will stop the downward spiral that exploits so many children online.  The Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a legislative hearing at 10:00 AM today to consider proposals to protect kids online and advance strong comprehensive data privacy protections. Ava Smithing will highlight why these proposals are critical for Americans who want to use the internet without being targeted and manipulated by the sites they visit. Be sure to tune in! 

Washington D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) delivered the following opening remarks at today’s subcommittee  hearing  titled “Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights.” "First, I want to welcome our new Subcommittee members, Representatives Obernolte and James. With business acumen and technical expertise, these esteemed members will bring new ideas to the Subcommittee. I’m looking forward to working with you both. "During the 118th Congress, our Subcommittee held multiple hearings to examine the need for a federal data privacy and security law.   "Those hearings illustrated the need to provide certainty for Americans to know their rights online, and for businesses to know their obligations on a consistent basis throughout the country.  "It will also help cement America’s global leadership and ensure we remain competitive in this evolving landscape." HISTORIC LEGISLATION "This bipartisan work has culminated with this discussion draft, the American Privacy Rights Act, which is a comprehensive privacy and data security standard. "This bipartisan, bicameral bill gives Americans the right to control their personal information, including how and where itis being used, collected, and stored.  "This legislation establishes one national standard. It preempts the patchwork of state laws so when consumers and businesses cross state lines there are consistent rights, protections, and obligations.  "The discussion draft creates requirements for companies contributing to the data ecosystem while protecting small businesses trying to provide for their customers. "The bill also directs strong data security standards that minimize and protect against data being used by bad actors, and provides Americans notice if their data is being transferred to a foreign adversary, like China, and allows consumers the choice to opt-out." ADDITIONAL SOLUTIONS "We are also discussing proposals that require age verification for certain websites and social media companies, streamline terms of service labeling, and allow third party software providers to make social networks safer.  "There are also two bills that received significant attention in the Senate: Rep. Walberg’s Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA 2.0, and my bill the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA. "I am proud to collaborate on these kids’ privacy and online safety measures with our Subcommittee Vice-Chair Rep. Walberg, and I thank him for his longstanding leadership in this space. "I’m also grateful to work with my fellow Floridian and colleague, Rep. Castor, on a bipartisan basis on these bills. I’m looking forward to continuing to work towards passage of these critical safety measures.  "We know that Big Tech has failed to prioritize the health and safety of our children online, resulting in a significant increase in mental health conditions, suicide, and drug overdose deaths. "It is time for Big Tech to be held accountable for facilitating this activity and manipulating our kids to keep them addicted to their screens for longer than ever before. "I am glad to have Ava Smithing from the Young People’s Alliance here to share her personal story about the harms she experienced as a young woman related to social media. Ava, thank you for being here.  "I’m also looking forward to hearing from Kara Frederick, who can share her experience as a team lead for Facebook. She understands how these companies operate and how to curtail the harms of their products.  "In closing, I want to thank the witnesses for their testimony, and I want to thank Chair Rodgers for her historic bipartisan proposal. Let’s get this done together for the sake of all Americans, and especially our kids."

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., (D-NJ) today announced plans to hold a legislative hearing on April 30 titled “Draft Legislation to Preserve Americans’ Access to AM Radio.”  “Communities across the country, especially rural communities, rely on AM radio service for critical information. It plays an essential role during public emergencies when other alert systems that rely on the electric grid and cellphone networks don’t work, which is why it's so alarming that some auto manufacturers are considering not installing AM radios in new cars," said Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone. "We look forward to working together to preserve Americans’ access to this vital source of information.”  Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce legislative hearing titled “Draft Legislation to Preserve Americans’ Access to AM Radio.”   WHAT: Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce legislative hearing on draft legislation to preserve Americans' access to AM radio in new cars.  DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 2024  Legislative proposals to be considered include:   H.R. __ , the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jessica Herron at Jessica.Herron@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .  

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) spoke with Fox News Digital about the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 . The bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation will establish a national data privacy and security standard and give people the right to control their personal information online. Highlights and excerpts from the article : “Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said it is her ‘biggest fear’ as a parent for her children’s sensitive data to be exploited online, and she is aiming to quell those fears for herself and millions of Americans with a new federal data privacy standard .  “ ‘ There’s very dangerous activity online, and data collection is foundationally how these algorithms are developed and then ultimately used to target children, but also people in general,' Rodgers told Fox News Digital in an interview.   “‘This is really my biggest fear as a parent, having three school-aged children, other friends who have had kids that have been targeted online. We know that these algorithms have been targeting children with dangerous content, targeted advertising that leads to dangerous life-threatening behaviors.’” [...] “The Washington Republican teamed up with Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., to unveil a bipartisan framework aimed at giving Americans more control over personal data they share online and empowering them to take action when that sensitive information falls prey to bad actors." […] “It also gives people the right to sue if a company [...] continues to harvest and sell their data without their permission, and if a data breach or hack caused ‘clear harm,’ Rodgers explained. “Rodgers told Fox News Digital to expect a hearing this week as the legislation begins to make its way through Congress. “The ambitious proposal would set the first-ever federal data privacy standard if passed. However, the issue of data privacy has been around for a long time – almost as long as the internet itself. “‘It is imperative that we move this bill. It's been decades that Congress has been grappling with a privacy data security law, and it is past time for us to put people in control of their data,’ she said.” CLICK HERE to read the full article. CLICK HERE to watch our legislative hearing on Wednesday to discuss the draft legislation and other solutions to protect people online.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined KHQ in Spokane, Washington, to share the significance of the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 . The bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation will establish a national data privacy and security standard and give people the right to control their personal information online. Highlights and excerpts of Chair Rodgers from the interview:  ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL DATA PRIVACY STANDARD   “We're giving people the right to control their personal information online by establishing this national, uniform standard across the states because what we're seeing is that we're having a patchwork of state laws develop.    “This draft that Senator Cantwell and I have agreed to is stronger than any state law on the books.    “It has really been the work of years in the House and the Senate, various members, but for us to be able to propose this draft bill that will give Americans control over where their information goes, who can sell it, it's empowering individuals to enforce their data privacy rights, it protects American civil rights, and it is reining in Big Tech.”   OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S PRIVACY RIGHTS   “This is the best opportunity that we've had in years, almost two decades, to actually establish a national data privacy and security standard and give people the right to control their information online.   “We do not have a national standard right now. We have some states that have taken action, but this is going to establish one national privacy standard that will protect Americans of all ages, no matter where they live in the US.    “It's also going to prohibit Big Tech from tracking, predicting, and manipulating people for profit without their knowledge and consent, and it will strengthen protections for children, so what we include in this bill is real consequences if they're tracking kids data, creating dangerous algorithms, and using it to profit off of our children.    “This is something that all Americans, but especially parents, want and they're looking to us, as their elected officials, to act.”   HOLDING BIG TECH ACCOUNTABLE   “It's also important to make it very clear that this is only if you're a business that is selling the data.    “We don't want to go after small businesses, so we have a threshold, and if you're a business that isn't selling the data, you would be protected under this law.    [...] “Right now, there's too many examples where [Big Tech] has tracked, manipulated or targeted individuals, children, and others." GIVING AMERICANS CONTROL OVER THEIR DATA   “The legislation will minimize the amount of data that a company can collect, keep, and use from the very beginning.    “Oftentimes, sometimes [companies] will need [personalized data] to provide products and services but oftentimes they're going beyond what they actually need.    [...] “If [your data is] being sold, [people] will have a right to be able to opt-out.   “So, this bill is going to stop people's personal information from being shared or sold without them even knowing it.”   ADVANCING THE AMERICAN PRIVACY RIGHTS ACT   “I believe that this is a very important moment.    “We've been working for years, in the House and the Senate, to pass a bill.    “We need to get this bill on the President's desk to implement national data privacy rights for all Americans.    “As the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House, I plan to move forward in regular order, have hearings, give stakeholders and other members an opportunity to give their input, and then work it through the markups where various members can participate.    “I believe that's going to also be important to the ultimate success of this bill, but I do believe that this is a historic moment.    “It's very important, and I'm really encouraged that Senator Cantwell and I coming from Washington state have been able to agree on a draft bill that we can move forward, and our goal is ultimately to get it on the President's desk.”   CLICK HERE to watch the full interview.

The American Privacy Rights Act gives people fundamental, enforceable data privacy rights, puts people in control of their own data, and eliminates the patchwork of state laws House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt to discuss the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 . The bipartisan, bicameral draft legislation will establish a national data privacy and security standard and give people the right to control their personal information online. Highlights and excerpts from the interview: ESTABLISHING PRIVACY RIGHTS   “This would really be historic. This is two decades in the making for us to establish a national privacy data security law protecting individuals' personal data online. It is establishing privacy rights for individuals, and it helps all of us, but especially our children.   “It is different than what Europe put into place that has caused a lot of concerns among small businesses in particular. We believe, because of the work that we have done, it limits the amount of data that can be collected to begin with—data minimization. And then when your data is transferred, when it's sold, you will be notified that your data is being used and you will have an option to opt-out of that.   “It really is establishing the privacy rights of an individual to know what's being collected, how it is being used, if it’s being sold, if it’s being used in targeting advertising—you would have more rights over how your data is being used.”  CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING PEOPLE’S PRIVACY RIGHTS “Well, [the bill] establishes a private right of action for the first time where an individual would be able to bring forward a lawsuit.   [...]  “We aren't interested in targeting businesses that just somehow inadvertently are using data wrong. If you are not selling [people's] data, you're not covered at all. There's a threshold for small businesses, and we want to make sure that we're really going after the bad actors.”   REINING IN BIG TECH “[Big Tech] is collecting, right now, unlimited amounts of data. There is no limit on the amount of data being collected—sensitive data, tracking your location, your search history, biometric data. “For the first time, there will be a limitation put on companies as to the collection of data, and then the individual has a right to know what's being collected. “They're not going to be happy about that and how it curves the targeted advertising. You go online and search for a pair of running shoes and all sudden you're flooded with all kinds of ads—you would be empowered for the first time to determine whether or not you want you want your data to be used like that.” NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT “We've had a number of years, a lot of members on both sides of the aisle, House and Senate, that have been working on establishing a privacy right, believing that it is important that individuals are protected online and that we have more control over the data that’s being collected. “There's been a lot of work done—years worth of work—and I'm really encouraged right now that Senator Cantwell, the Chair of the Commerce Committee in the Senate, and myself as the Chair of the House Committee have been able to hammer out a bill and reach an agreement. “[For example] on preemption of the state laws, right now, there's a patchwork of state laws that causes even more confusion. There's been a lot of work done, and now we have a moment to act. This will be historic, and it's really important for all Americans, but especially our kids.”  

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced an Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled "Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights." “It is time for Congress to come together on comprehensive data privacy and security standards that put Americans back in control of their information online,” Chair Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone said. “We’re especially grateful to our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their years of hard work and input that have led us to this moment. Good policy takes time, and the Energy and Commerce Committee has a proven record of plowing the hard ground necessary to legislate. We look forward to building on this rich history of bipartisan success as we work together to protect kids online and advance strong comprehensive data privacy protections for people of every age in every state.” Subcommittee on Innovation Data, and Commerce hearing titled "Legislative Solutions to Protect Kids Online and Ensure Americans’ Data Privacy Rights." WHAT:  A hearing to discuss legislative solutions that will protect kids online and ensure Americans’ data privacy rights. DATE:  Wednesday, April 17, 2024 TIME:  10:00 AM ET LOCATION:  2123 Rayburn House Office Building WITNESSES:  Witnesses will be announced and are by invitation only. LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED:    H.R. __ ,  the American Privacy Rights Act    H.R. 7891 ,  the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)  (Reps. Bilirakis, Castor, Houchin, Schrier)  H.R. 7890 ,   the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0)  (Reps. Walberg and Castor)     H.R. 5628 ,  the Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2023  (Rep. Clarke)  H.R. 4311 ,  the DELETE Act  (Rep. Trahan)  H.R. 4568 ,  the TLDR Act  (Rep. Trahan)     H.R. 5534 ,  the Banning Surveillance Advertising Act of 2023  (Rep. Eshoo)     H.R. 5778 ,  Sammy’s Law of 2023  (Reps. Wasserman Schultz and Carter)  H.R. 6149 ,  the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act  (Reps. James and Ryan)   H.R. 6429 ,  the SCREEN Act  (Rep. Miller)  This notice is at the direction of the Chair. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  https://energycommerce.house.gov/ . If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jessica Herron at Jessica.Herron@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Sean Kelly at  Sean.Kelly@mail.house.gov .