Bipartisan Deal Reached on National Digital Privacy Law in Washington

The bipartisan deal reached by two leading US lawmakers in Washington could pave the way for a groundbreaking national law on digital privacy. Senators Maria Cantwell and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers have proposed the American Privacy Rights Act, which aims to give Americans more control over their personal data online.

If passed, this legislation would establish a federal standard for digital privacy, similar to the European Union’s GDPR, and regulate how companies collect, share, and use Americans’ online data. The proposed law would ban the transfer of sensitive personal data to third parties without explicit approval, allow users to opt out of targeted advertising, and give individuals the right to request copies of their data or have it deleted.

The agreement between Cantwell and McMorris Rodgers reflects a significant breakthrough after years of stalled negotiations between Republicans and Democrats on the issue of digital privacy. However, the legislation still faces a long road ahead, needing to clear both committees and pass both chambers of Congress before reaching President Joe Biden’s desk.

The proposed law could preempt existing state privacy laws and enable individuals to sue companies for privacy violations. Despite the challenges ahead, this bipartisan effort represents a historic opportunity to establish a national standard for data privacy and security in the United States.