Digital rights advocates on Friday cautiously welcomed the news that congressional lawmakers have agreed to advance a bipartisan, bicameral data privacy bill while reaffirming the need for antitrust legislation to truly tackle Big Tech monopoly abuses.
The bill, entitled the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, would establish a national standard governing internet companies’ collection of user data. The measure would empower users to opt-out of targeted advertising and to sue companies that improperly sell their personal information. It would also ban data-driven advertisements targeting children, among other reforms.
Evan Greer, director of the digital rights group Fight for the Future, said that bill “seems like a good-faith effort” while implying that she will reserve judgment until after she’s read the legislation.