US Chamber Seeks Federal Privacy Law Amid States' 'Confusing Patchwork'

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the latest to suggest legislation seeking a federal privacy law (see 1902130058), saying "that would protect consumers and eliminate a confusing patchwork of state laws." After working "with nearly 200 organizations" on this, it recommends the FTC enforce such a law. The agency could "impose civil penalties on businesses that violate transparency, opt-out, or data deletion provisions" under FTC Act Section 5, the Chamber said Wednesday. The group doesn't "discuss its members, but we worked with organizations of all sizes -- small, medium, and large businesses -- and from various sectors, such as retail, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare, financial services, and the insurance industry." So emailed a spokesperson when asked to identify those it worked with on the plan and say whether they back the proposal. Among others with proposals are BSA| The Software Alliance, the Center for Democracy & Technology, Cisco and Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Software & Information Industry Association Senior Vice President-Public Policy Mark MacCarthy said the Chamber's plan "is a productive step forward as Congress considers new national privacy legislation." The proposal "has more holes than Swiss cheese. In fact, it's almost all hole and no cheese," tweeted Omer Tene, International Association of Privacy Professionals chief knowledge officer. "If this reflects industry/civil society negotiations, businesses should quickly pivot to prep for #CCPA. 10 months to go." The 2018 California Consumer Privacy Act will be enforced from Jan. 1 (see 1902010015).