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congress works on privacy
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July has been a busy month on Capitol Hill for privacy issues.
On July 20, the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent the American Data Privacy and Protection Act to the full House of Representatives for consideration. If enacted, the measure would eliminate most interest-based advertising by prohibiting companies from collecting or processing data about web user’s online activity across sites and over time for ad purposes.
The AAF supports a national, preemptive, comprehensive privacy law that represents a workable national privacy standard that works for consumers and businesses alike. We expressed our concerns and offered suggestions to improve this bill in substantive comments (here and here) to Committee leadership.
While the measure passed by a 52-3 vote, many members of the Committee expressed concern with some provisions of the bill and indicated their votes in favor were in the interest of continuing the dialogue on the issue.
Between the upcoming summer recess and elections in the fall, there are relatively few legislative days remaining this Congressional session. It is uncertain whether the measure will be brought before the full House, and even more unlikely to be heard in the Senate. AAF and our partners in Privacy for America will continue to educate lawmakers about the many benefits of the responsible use of data and continue to advocate for comprehensive privacy legislation that works for consumers and businesses.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Hill, the Senate Commerce Committee met July 27, and advanced two pieces of children’s online privacy legislation. The Kid’s Online Safety Act was introduced by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-CT and Marsha Blackburn, R-TN. Senators Ed Markey, D-MA and Bill Cassidy, R-LA introduced the Children’s and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act.
AAF was in contact with the Committee to express our concern that both pieces of legislation are drafted so broadly that almost any online service enjoyed by adults would also be impacted. We reiterated out support for national comprehensive privacy legislation that improves privacy for all Americans, including kids and teens. Prospects that the bills will be considered this year by the full Senate appear to be very slim.
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senate bill would allow marijuana advertising
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A bill introduced by Senator Ben Ray Lujan, D-NM would permit ads for cannabis products on radio and TV in any state tribe or territory where it is legal with no federal penalties. The bill would prevent the Federal Communications Commission from denying or penalizing broadcast stations that allow marijuana ads as long as they meet the legal criteria and the broadcasters secure “reliable evidence” that at least 70% of the audience is over 21. AAF has a long history of defending truthful advertising for legal products directed to appropriate audiences.
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advertising day on the hill to return in 2023
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The AAF is pleased to announce that Advocacy and Action: Advertising Day on the Hill will return as an in-person event Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Washington, DC. Because of coronavirus and Hill security concerns, the 2022 Day on the Hill was conducted virtually.
As a vivid demonstration of our grassroots in action, the Advertising Day on the Hill is one of the most important days on the AAF calendar. In the morning participants are briefed on the issues facing the advertising industry. The afternoon is spent in meetings with lawmakers and their staffs educating them about the issues and the importance of advertising to the U.S. economy.
Few things make as a profound impact on elected officials as constituents passionate enough about their industry to travel to our nation’s Capital to make their voices heard.
More information will be coming soon, but for now mark your calendars for March 23, 2023, and start making plans to join us in Washington, DC for AAF’s Advocacy and Action: Advertising Day on the Hill.
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The AAF protects and promotes advertising at all levels of government through grassroots activities. Our nation-wide network monitors advertising-related legislation on local, state and federal levels. We put our members face-to-face with influential lawmakers while encouraging self-regulation as a preemptor to government intervention, when appropriate of course. To learn more about our advocacy efforts, click here.
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