Lawmaker Looks to Boost FTC Power in Data Breach Enforcement

Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) has introduced two bills intended to better protect the data privacy of consumers. The Protecting Consumer Information Act is intended to expand the authority of the FTC to protect consumers and take action against companies who expose consumer data in security breaches. The Ending Forced Arbitration for Victims of Data Breaches Act would prevent data firms such as Equifax from enacting arbitration clauses for lawsuits related to a data breach, and nullify existing ones.

Lieu’s bills join several other bills with similar goals, including the Personal Data Notification and Protection Act of Representative James Langevin (D-RI), the Consumer Privacy Protection Act of Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), and the Data Breach Prevention and Compensation Act of Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).