APPS Act of 2020
Latest action (1 May 2020): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 6677, the Application Privacy, Protection, and Security Act of 2020 (APPS Act), would require developers of mobile applications to obtain user consent before collecting personal data, after disclosing what categories of data will be collected, how they will be used, which third parties may receive them, and how long they will be retained. Developers would also need to let users request that data collection stop, and either delete or halt further use and sharing of their previously collected data. Developers would be required to take reasonable security measures to protect personal and de-identified data from unauthorized access.
The bill would primarily affect companies and individuals that develop apps for smartphones, tablets, and similar mobile devices, as well as app users, who would gain new notice, consent, and data-deletion rights. The Federal Trade Commission would write implementing regulations, treat violations as unfair or deceptive practices, and enforce the law; state attorneys general could also bring civil actions, subject to certain limits. The Act would allow developers to comply via approved industry codes of conduct, and it would preempt weaker state privacy laws in specific circumstances.
The bill was introduced in the House on May 1, 2020, by Rep. Hank Johnson and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Application Privacy, Protection, and Security Act of 2020 or the APPS Act of 2020
This bill directs mobile device application developers, before the application collects personal data about the user, to notify the user and obtain the user's consent regarding the terms and conditions governing the collection, use, storage, and sharing of such personal data. Such notice must include (1) the categories of data that will be collected, (2) the categories of purposes for which the data will be used, (3) the categories of third parties with which the data will be shared, and (4) the retention policies with respect to the data. Mobile device application developers also must provide users with a means of withdrawing consent to the collection of such personal data.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6677 do?
- H.R. 6677, the Application Privacy, Protection, and Security Act of 2020 (APPS Act), would require developers of mobile applications to obtain user consent before collecting personal data, after disclosing what categories of data will be collected, how they will be used, which third parties may receive them, and how long they will be retained. Developers would also need to let users request that data collection stop, and either delete or halt further use and sharing of their previously collected data. Developers would be required to take reasonable security measures to protect personal and de-identified data from unauthorized access. The bill would primarily affect companies and individuals that develop apps for smartphones, tablets, and similar mobile devices, as well as app users, who would gain new notice, consent, and data-deletion rights. The Federal Trade Commission would write implementing regulations, treat violations as unfair or deceptive practices, and enforce the law; state attorneys general could also bring civil actions, subject to certain limits. The Act would allow developers to comply via approved industry codes of conduct, and it would preempt weaker state privacy laws in specific circumstances. The bill was introduced in the House on May 1, 2020, by Rep. Hank Johnson and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
- Has H.R. 6677 become law?
- Not yet. As of 1 May 2020, H.R. 6677 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6677?
- H.R. 6677 was sponsored by Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson [D-GA4] (Democrat-GA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6677?
- Introduced (1 May 2020).
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