Washington, D.C. – As National Data Privacy Week nears its conclusion, TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of innovation economy CEOs and senior executives, released a statement on the growing momentum towards a federal data privacy law that can pass during the 118th Congress. The following can be attributed to TechNet President and CEO Linda Moore:

“President Biden and a growing number of lawmakers from both parties are right: we need a federal privacy law. We made great progress last year, and we must capitalize on that momentum in 2023. The American people agree. More than 80 percent of voters say federal privacy legislation should be a Congressional priority.

“The need has never been more urgent. As the patchwork of state privacy laws grows, with 133 comprehensive privacy bills introduced across 43 states since 2018, now is the time for a federal law that gives consumers assurances their data and privacy are protected no matter where they live, while providing businesses certainty about their responsibilities. Then, they can spend their resources on creating jobs rather than paying legal bills.

“We remain optimistic that we can finally get a federal privacy law across the finish line, and we look forward to working with both parties to make it happen.”

National Data Privacy Week is an annual educational event to inform consumers, lawmakers, and business owners about the state of data privacy in America. This week, TechNet has highlighted the economic costs of a 50-state patchwork of privacy laws, including the impact on small businesses, and the national and consumer security risks posed by the current lack of a federal privacy law. Building on the success of its #UnitedforPrivacy campaign, TechNet has brought to life the real-world effects of the status quo in data privacy.

For more information, go to technet.org/privacy.

Background:

  • 86 percent of Democrats and 81 percent of Republicans said Congress should make privacy a “top” or “important” priority.
  • Last year, Congress made significant strides in passing comprehensive federal privacy legislation. The American Data Privacy and Protection Act passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a bipartisan vote of 53-2. While the bill still needs further refinements to address several key issues before becoming law, this was a watershed moment for enacting a uniform federal standard.
  • Since 2018, 133 comprehensive privacy bills have been considered across 43 states, including 10 bills filed so far in 2023. By the end of the year, consumers and businesses in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia will all be regulated by different privacy laws.
  • If this trend continues, a 50-state patchwork of privacy laws would cost our economy more than $1 trillion over the next 10 years, with more than $200 billion being paid by American small businesses.