Do Not Track Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (21 May 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The Do Not Track Act, introduced in the Senate, would establish a system to protect consumers from unwanted online data collection and targeted advertising. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be required to create a downloadable program that sends a "Do Not Track" signal from a user's device to websites, online services, and applications.
Websites and services would need to check for this signal. If received, they would be prohibited from collecting data beyond what's necessary for operation, using collected data for targeted advertising, or sharing it with third parties without consent. Operators could not discriminate against users based on their Do Not Track preferences. Third-party program operators receiving the signal would be limited to collecting data only to analyze user engagement with their program.
This bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The next step for the bill would be for the committee to consider it, which could involve hearings, amendments, and a vote. If it passes the committee, it would then proceed to the full Senate for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Do Not Track Act
This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to implement and enforce a do not track (DNT) system to protect consumers from unwanted online data harvesting and targeted advertising.
Specifically, the bill requires the FTC to designate a DNT signal (sent by a connected device) and make publicly available a program that (1) is available for download to any common connected device; and (2) sends the DNT signal to every website, online service, or online application to which a user does not want their data sent each time the device connects to it.
The bill further requires an operator of a website, service, or application to search for the DNT signal each time a device connects to it and, if it receives such signal, makes it unlawful for the operator to collect data (other than what is necessary for operation) from a user, use any data collected for targeted advertising, or share any data with a third party without consent. An operator shall not discriminate against a user based on DNT preference. If an operator collects more data than is necessary for operation and does not detect the signal, it must provide a user with notice of the user's rights under the DNT program.
Additionally, the bill prohibits a third-party operator of a program that receives the DNT signal through the connected device of a user of a covered website, service, or application from collecting user data other than data collected to analyze how or whether the user engaged with the program.
Timeline
21 May 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 1578 do?
- The Do Not Track Act, introduced in the Senate, would establish a system to protect consumers from unwanted online data collection and targeted advertising. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be required to create a downloadable program that sends a "Do Not Track" signal from a user's device to websites, online services, and applications. Websites and services would need to check for this signal. If received, they would be prohibited from collecting data beyond what's necessary for operation, using collected data for targeted advertising, or sharing it with third parties without consent. Operators could not discriminate against users based on their Do Not Track preferences. Third-party program operators receiving the signal would be limited to collecting data only to analyze user engagement with their program. This bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The next step for the bill would be for the committee to consider it, which could involve hearings, amendments, and a vote. If it passes the committee, it would then proceed to the full Senate for consideration.
- Has S. 1578 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1578. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1578?
- S. 1578 was sponsored by Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] (R-MO), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1578?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (21 May 2019).
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