New Privacy Bills: APPS Act and DATA Act of 2018

The APPS Act and DATA Act are two new digital privacy bills introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA) yesterday. Rep. Johnson is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.

APPS Act

The Application Privacy, Protection and Security Act of 2018 (HR 6547) is known as the APPS Act. It is designed to increase consumer privacy on mobile devices.

Here is the description of the bill from the press release:

“The APPS Act will boost consumer privacy on mobile devices by requiring app developers to maintain privacy policies, obtain consent from consumers before collecting data, and securely maintain the data that they collect. We all have the right to protect our personal information and companies must adopt responsible and transparent data use policies. Apps should provide consumers with notice and choice regarding how data is collected, shared, and used, and implement secure protection standards.”

The current version of the bill has not been released yet. Rep. Johnson previously introduced a bill on this subject in 2013 and again in 2016. We will bring you information about the new bill when we have it. It would not be surprising if there were updates from the 2013 version due to the recent events involving Facebook and Cambridge Analytica.

DATA Act

The DATA Act offers consumers the ability to access, correct and opt-out of big data collection and use.

The press release says:

“The DATA Act would bring big data out of the shadows, create transparency and control for consumers over their personal data, and provide consumers with the tools to correct the record and minimize collection.”

The press release focuses on the concern that big data will reinforce the disadvantages of low-income and underserved communities, including price and customer service discrimination.

The DATA Act was previously introduced in 2016.

We will bring you more when we have the current text.

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Other Blog Posts on Privacy Bills in the US House:

Internet Bill of Rights for Privacy
Information Transparency and Personal Data Control Act
Highlights of the Secure and Protect Americans’ Data Act in U.S. House
Highlights of Browser Act to Protect Privacy in U.S. House
BROWSER Act and Privacy Discussed in House Communications Subcommittee Hearing
Privacy Focus of Last Week’s DCCP Subcommittee Hearing on Digital Advertising
House Subcommittee Asks FTC Commissioners About Consumer Privacy
Do Not Track Kids Act Back in Congress