DELETE Act
Latest action (15 Feb 2022): Introduced
What this bill does
The DELETE Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create a system requiring "data brokers"—companies that collect and sell personal information about individuals with whom they have no direct relationship—to register annually and disclose details about their data practices, including how individuals can opt out of data collection or sale. The bill's central feature is a centralized, FTC-run online system allowing individuals to submit a single request that would trigger deletion of their personal information across all registered data brokers, using hashed (encrypted) identifiers to protect privacy. It also establishes a "do not track" and suppression list so brokers cannot continue collecting data on people who request deletion, sets deadlines for compliance, requires audits and annual reports from brokers, and lets the FTC charge brokers a fee (capped at 1% of the system's operating cost) to fund it. Violations would be enforced as unfair or deceptive practices under FTC law.
The bill primarily affects data brokers, who would face new registration, disclosure, deletion, and audit obligations, and consumers, who would gain a free, simplified way to request removal of their personal data from these companies. Certain data uses—such as fraud prevention, journalism, or legal compliance—are exempted.
The bill was introduced in the House on February 15, 2022, by Rep. Lori Trahan and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not become law in the 117th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange Act or the DELETE Act This bill establishes a process for the deletion of personal information held by data brokers (i.e., entities that collect or obtain personal information for commercial purposes from individuals with whom they do not have a direct relationship). First, it requires the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules requiring data brokers to (1) register with the commission, (2) provide specified contact information, and (3) disclose certain data collection practices. Second, the commission must establish a centralized system to allow individuals to make a single request for the deletion of any of their personal information held by a data broker (or an affiliated legal entity). Each data broker must delete the personal information not later than 31 days after a request is made. An individual who submits a deletion request also must be added to a do-not-track list and registered data brokers are prohibited from collecting personal information about that individual. The bill provides for enforcement of these requirements by the commission.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6752 do?
- The DELETE Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission to create a system requiring "data brokers"—companies that collect and sell personal information about individuals with whom they have no direct relationship—to register annually and disclose details about their data practices, including how individuals can opt out of data collection or sale. The bill's central feature is a centralized, FTC-run online system allowing individuals to submit a single request that would trigger deletion of their personal information across all registered data brokers, using hashed (encrypted) identifiers to protect privacy. It also establishes a "do not track" and suppression list so brokers cannot continue collecting data on people who request deletion, sets deadlines for compliance, requires audits and annual reports from brokers, and lets the FTC charge brokers a fee (capped at 1% of the system's operating cost) to fund it. Violations would be enforced as unfair or deceptive practices under FTC law. The bill primarily affects data brokers, who would face new registration, disclosure, deletion, and audit obligations, and consumers, who would gain a free, simplified way to request removal of their personal data from these companies. Certain data uses—such as fraud prevention, journalism, or legal compliance—are exempted. The bill was introduced in the House on February 15, 2022, by Rep. Lori Trahan and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not become law in the 117th Congress.
- Has H.R. 6752 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 Feb 2022, H.R. 6752 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6752?
- H.R. 6752 was sponsored by Rep. Lori Trahan [D-MA3] (Democrat-MA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6752?
- Introduced (15 Feb 2022).
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