Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996
Latest action (18 Sep 1996): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 4113, the Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996, would regulate how "interactive computer services" (providers giving multiple users modem access to the Internet) handle personally identifiable information collected from subscribers. The bill would bar such services from disclosing a subscriber's personal information to third parties without the subscriber's prior informed written consent, which could be revoked at any time. It would also prohibit knowingly disclosing falsified personal information about a subscriber. Subscribers would have the right to review, verify, and correct their information held by the service, and to learn which third parties received it, all free of charge.
The bill would primarily affect internet service providers and their subscribers, giving consumers more control over data collected about them online. Enforcement would fall to the Federal Trade Commission, which could investigate providers and issue cease-and-desist orders as if violations were unfair practices under the FTC Act. Subscribers harmed by violations could also pursue civil lawsuits for relief.
The bill was introduced on September 18, 1996, in the 104th Congress by Rep. Bruce Vento and referred to the House Committee on Commerce. It received no further action or vote before the session ended, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits an interactive computer service from disclosing to a third party any personally identifiable information provided by a subscriber without the subscriber's informed written consent. Permits the subscriber to revoke such consent at any time and requires the service to cease disclosing such information. Prohibits such service or its employee from knowingly disclosing to a third party any personally identifiable information provided by a subscriber that such service has knowingly falsified. Requires, at a subscriber's request, such service to: (1) provide such individual with his or her personally identifiable information maintained by the service; (2) permit the subscriber to verify and to correct such information; and (3) provide to the subscriber the identity of the third party recipients of such information. Prohibits the service from charging a fee to the subscriber for making such information available. Grants the Federal Trade Commission the authority: (1) to investigate whether a service has been or is engaged in any act or practice prohibited by this Act; and (2) if so, to issue a cease and desist order as if such service were in violation of specified provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows a subscriber aggrieved by a violation of this Act to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4113 do?
- H.R. 4113, the Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996, would regulate how "interactive computer services" (providers giving multiple users modem access to the Internet) handle personally identifiable information collected from subscribers. The bill would bar such services from disclosing a subscriber's personal information to third parties without the subscriber's prior informed written consent, which could be revoked at any time. It would also prohibit knowingly disclosing falsified personal information about a subscriber. Subscribers would have the right to review, verify, and correct their information held by the service, and to learn which third parties received it, all free of charge. The bill would primarily affect internet service providers and their subscribers, giving consumers more control over data collected about them online. Enforcement would fall to the Federal Trade Commission, which could investigate providers and issue cease-and-desist orders as if violations were unfair practices under the FTC Act. Subscribers harmed by violations could also pursue civil lawsuits for relief. The bill was introduced on September 18, 1996, in the 104th Congress by Rep. Bruce Vento and referred to the House Committee on Commerce. It received no further action or vote before the session ended, meaning it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 4113 become law?
- Not yet. As of 18 Sep 1996, H.R. 4113 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4113?
- H.R. 4113 was sponsored by Rep. Bruce Vento [D-MN4, 1977-2000] (Democrat-MN), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4113?
- Introduced (18 Sep 1996).
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