Schatz Slams Republican Attempt To Weaken Online Privacy

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Ranking Member of the Senate Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to legislation backed by Republicans in the Senate that would undermine the Federal Communications Commissions’ (FCC) authority to protect consumers’ data privacy and security.

“If this CRA is passed, neither the FCC nor the FTC will have clear authority when it comes to how Internet Service Providers protect consumers’ data privacy and security. Regardless of politics, allowing ISPs to operate in a rule-free zone without any government oversight is reckless.

“If Senate Republicans were serious about solving the very real challenges surrounding data security and privacy, they would call for a debate that considers the roles and responsibilities of both the FCC and FTC and propose legislation that protects consumers while enabling innovation. Instead, they are using a mechanism that forever prevents the FCC from exercising its rule-making authority in these areas without offering an alternative plan. In other words, they are offering a repeal without a replacement. With data breaches and cyber-attacks on the rise, American families need stronger, not weaker consumer privacy choices and protections.”