Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2019
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (17 Jan 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2019 would establish new privacy protections for users of online platforms. It would require platform operators to clearly inform users about what personal data is collected and how it is used, and to obtain user consent before collecting or using this data. Users would also have the right to access their data, withdraw consent easily, and have their data deleted.
This bill specifically targets "covered online platforms," which are defined as any online platform collecting personal data during a user's online activity. This includes social networks, search engines, and email services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcing these regulations, with states also authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents.
The bill was introduced in the Senate in January 2019 and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not advanced beyond its introduction and did not receive a vote in its original session of Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2019
This bill requires online platform operators to inform a user, prior to a user creating an account or otherwise using the platform, that the user's personal data produced during online behavior will be collected and used by the operator and third parties. The operator must provide a user the option to specify privacy preferences, and an operator may deny certain services or complete access to a user if the user's privacy elections create inoperability in the platform.
The operator must (1) offer a user a copy of the personal data of the user that the operator has processed, free of charge, and in an electronic format; and (2) notify a user within 72 hours of becoming aware that the user's data has been transmitted in violation of the security platform.
A violation of the bill's privacy requirements shall be considered an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may enforce this bill against common carriers regulated by the Federal Communications Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 and nonprofit organizations. Currently, common carriers regulated under that Act are exempt from the FTC's enforcement authority, and nonprofit organizations are subject to FTC enforcement only if they provide substantial economic benefit to their for-profit members.
A state may bring a civil action in federal court regarding such violations.
Timeline
17 Jan 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 189 do?
- The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2019 would establish new privacy protections for users of online platforms. It would require platform operators to clearly inform users about what personal data is collected and how it is used, and to obtain user consent before collecting or using this data. Users would also have the right to access their data, withdraw consent easily, and have their data deleted. This bill specifically targets "covered online platforms," which are defined as any online platform collecting personal data during a user's online activity. This includes social networks, search engines, and email services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcing these regulations, with states also authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents. The bill was introduced in the Senate in January 2019 and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not advanced beyond its introduction and did not receive a vote in its original session of Congress.
- Has S. 189 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 189. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 189?
- S. 189 was sponsored by Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] (D-MN), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 189?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (17 Jan 2019).
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