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Two top Republican and Democrat lawmakers are set to introduce legislation that will significantly enhance privacy protections for Americans’ personal data. This landmark initiative, emerging from the collaboration between Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, aims to establish privacy as a fundamental consumer right while setting new standards for data collection and usage by businesses.

The proposal, announced as a draft, marks a significant attempt to address privacy concerns that have long been a topic of discussion in Congress. Despite previous efforts being hindered by partisan disagreements, the bipartisan nature of this initiative suggests it may be poised for consideration.

Central to the legislation are enhanced requirements for consumer consent, mandating that businesses obtain clear permission before collecting or transferring personal data. The bill also outlines obligations for companies to disclose data collection and retention policies, and to secure consumer consent for any significant policy changes.

The proposal also seeks to address potential biases in data analysis algorithms and requires businesses involved in the trading of personal data to register with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, it introduces the option for consumers to opt out of targeted advertising, granting them more control over their personal information.

The draft legislation also proposes a new bureau dedicated to data privacy. This bureau would be established within the FTC and tasked with developing and enforcing privacy regulations. The enforcement framework would also involve state attorneys general, providing a dual layer of oversight.