Judicial Redress Act Called First Step in Reforming US Privacy Law; CEA, Others Cheer

Industry groups, including CEA and TechNet, applauded House passage Tuesday of the Judicial Redress Act (see 1510200065), while privacy advocates called the passage of the bill a small step in adjusting U.S. privacy laws. The "commonsense bill" will "begin to restore international consumers' trust in American businesses" by "extending U.S. judicial recourse to the citizens of our European allies," said CEA CEO Gary Shapiro. “While the Judicial Redress Act does not extend the full Privacy Act protections that U.S. citizens receive to EU citizens, it is certainly positive progress in improving how very personal data is shared between the EU and U.S.," said Center for Democracy & Technology European Affairs Director Jens-Henrik Jeppesen. “CDT has previously called for full extension of Privacy Act rights to all non-U.S. persons, and has previously written on how the JRA does not represent the full reform we are seeking,” the statement said. TechFreedom President Berin Szoka agreed passage of the Judicial Redress Act was a positive step and allows the State Department to have credibility when negotiating a safe harbor replacement. But “Congress will need to move on to other privacy reforms immediately, starting with ensuring that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before accessing stored data of both American and European citizens,” Szoka said. “Congress will also need to finish the surveillance reforms it started with USA FREEDOM, specifically regarding Section 702.”