A bipartisan group of lawmakers is fast-tracking a sweeping new data privacy bill, aiming to rein in how federal agencies and private companies collect, share, and store personal information.
The move comes on the heels of growing backlash over federal efforts to expand surveillance under the banner of fraud prevention — including recent controversy around the USDA’s attempt to gather detailed data from SNAP recipients. With public trust eroding and legal challenges mounting, Congress is under pressure to act.
Dubbed the American Data Dignity Act, the proposed legislation would establish clear limitations on data access, require stronger encryption standards, and give Americans the right to know — and challenge — what information the government holds on them.
Supporters say the bill is long overdue. Critics argue it could hinder data-driven fraud detection and federal efficiency. Either way, the debate marks a rare show of bipartisan urgency in a deeply divided Senate — and a signal that the privacy pendulum may be swinging back toward the people.
The Author
Ellis Grant
Staff Writer, Readovia
