Fifteen state attorneys general are urging Congress to safeguard their states’ existing privacy laws amid concerns over proposed federal legislation. They fear that the federal American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) could supersede and weaken state-level privacy regulations. The attorneys general argue that states are better equipped to adapt swiftly to technological advancements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining flexibility in privacy legislation.
The APRA draft is seen as potentially overriding significant state privacy laws, including Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act. California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading the coalition, highlights concerns that the APRA could replace California’s robust privacy laws with weaker protections. The coalition warns that the current draft of APRA could hinder states’ ability to adequately protect their citizens’ privacy in the future.
Additionally, the letter addresses the potential delays in exercising privacy rights under the Global Privacy Control (GPC), a measure allowing internet users to communicate their privacy preferences to businesses. The attorneys general emphasize the importance of retaining state-level authority in investigating privacy violations, expressing concerns that APRA could restrict their ability to compel organizations to provide information. The coalition of attorneys general underscores the need for Congress to preserve the privacy protections established by states and ensure states can continue to safeguard their residents from evolving privacy threats.
