WASHINGTON – June 3, 2022 – BSA | The Software Alliance offered the following statement on the consumer privacy discussion draft released today by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Senate Commerce Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).

“Strong, comprehensive federal privacy law is a top priority for BSA and is only possible through bipartisan effort in Congress. We appreciate Chairman Pallone, Ranking Member Wicker, and Ranking Member McMorris-Rodgers for working together toward this goal, and for also including provisions to require the use of impact assessments to help prevent discrimination,” said Craig Albright, Vice President, Legislative Strategy at BSA | The Software Alliance.

“We have concerns about whether the bill could result in a new wave of nuisance lawsuits and look forward to reviewing the bill further. Unfortunately, it is clear this draft isn’t workable in its current form and needs significant improvement to ensure it actually protects consumer privacy in practice. Obligations on companies need to be clear to be operative, so consumer rights can be exercised effectively. This bill doesn’t distinguish between the roles of business when they engage consumers directly and when they act as service providers. Without clarity to the obligations for these different roles the system won’t work. Fortunately, this can be fixed and we look forward to working with the sponsors and other Members to address this issue. We share a common goal of a strong, comprehensive federal privacy law that ensures consumers’ personal data is used in ways they expect. We will continue to work to help Congress pass a bill into law this year.”

Find BSA’s Privacy Framework here.