Americans Could Be Getting a Comprehensive Federal Privacy Law Soon

But based on the drafts that have been introduced, it’s shaping up to be a weak one. It doesn't have to be.

“It’s Never Going To Happen”

For what seems like the first time in U.S. history, a comprehensive federal privacy law is visible on the horizon. Some skeptics disagree given that it’s election season, the seeming lack of political will, and the highly bipartisan congressional makeup — all valid points.

But hear me out: both consumer advocacy and industry groups are calling for one, consumer privacy sentiment is changing, the rest of the world is watching, and the states themselves are not waiting for the federal government to act.

Following California’s passing of the CCPA, other states followed suit and passed or at least introduced a slew of privacy law proposals. Why is this important? Because as a result, industry — the one stakeholder that has historically fought against a comprehensive federal privacy law — has changed its tune and is now calling upon legislators to act. It’s not that companies truly want to be regulated on how they handle people’s personal data. Rather, they want to preempt the headaches that 50 state privacy laws would create, having…