Data Privacy Whistleblowers Would be Protected Under Proposed Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation

Yesterday Senators Maria Cantwell, Brian Schatz, Amy Klobuchar, and Ed Markey introduced comprehensive federal online privacy legislation to establish privacy rights, outlaw harmful and deceptive practices, and improve data security safeguards.  The Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA) codifies privacy as a right and authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to hold companies accountable when they misuse or fail to safeguard consumers’ information and creates a private right of action to enforce privacy rights.