Not later than 180 days after enactment of the act, the FTC would be required to submit its recommendations to Congress. These requirements would be substantially similar to the requirements applicable to agencies under the Privacy Act of 1974, according to a press release from Rubio’s office.
In the event Congress fails to enact laws based on the recommendations provided by the date that is two years after enactment of the bill, the FTC itself would have the power to pass privacy laws based on the recommendations it provided. Currently, the FTC can only enforce and not create privacy laws.
Well timed with the news, Apple CEO Tim Cook has penned a New Year’s privacy essay, as requested by Time Magazine, calling on Congress to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation in the United States.
Cook also believes all “data broker” companies that exist solely to collect, package, and sell personal information should be required to register with the FTC and provide critical transparency information to the agency, and that consumers should have the power to easily access and delete that data if desired.