Online Data Privacy Bill Introduced by Senators Kennedy and Klobuchar

U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the introduction the Social Media Privacy and Consumer Rights Act.  The legislation is intended to protect the privacy of consumers’ online data, improve transparency, strengthen consumers’ recourse options when a breach of data occurs, and ensure companies are compliant with privacy policies that protect consumers. 

“Every day, companies profit off of the data they’re collecting from Americans, yet leave consumers completely in the dark about how their personal information, online behavior and private messages are being used.  Consumers should have the right to control their personal data,” Klobuchar said. “Our legislation would ensure that companies use plain language to explain to consumers how their data is being used, allow consumers to opt out of certain data tracking and collection, and require companies to notify consumers of privacy violations within 72 hours of a breach.”

The Act is intended to:

• Give consumers the right to opt out and keep their information private by disabling data tracking and collection,
• Provide users greater access to and control over their data,
• Require terms of service agreements to be in plain language,
• Ensure users have the ability to see what information about them has already been collected and shared,
• Mandate that users be notified of a breach of their information within 72 hours,
• Offer remedies for users when a breach occurs,
• Require that online platforms have a privacy program in place.

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The Regulatory Mix Today:  US Senators Introduce Online Data Privacy Bill, FCC Reactivates Equipment Authorization System

FCC Reactivates Equipment Authorization System

The FCC announced the reactivation of the Equipment Authorization System (EAS) after having previously stated it would not be available.  The FCC stated that after reviewing its statutory authority, the status of contract obligations, and its lapse in funding plan, it will be reactivating this system today.  the FCC noted that all other provisions of its January 2, 2019 Public Notice continue to apply.  

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.

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