Privacy Legislation Falls Short for Retailers and Consumers

Justin Goldberger, vice president, technology policy at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, issued the following statement on the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) legislation being marked up today by the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce:

“Leading retailers are encouraged that finding a uniform, national federal data privacy solution has garnered bipartisan and bicameral support. A comprehensive federal approach to data privacy standards will benefit consumers and employers and establish workable expectations for businesses and consumers nationwide defining how consumer data can be used. This is sorely needed as states continue to take vastly different approaches to this complex issue.

“At this moment, RILA cannot support ADPPA as it currently stands.   

“Retailers’ guiding principle on consumer privacy is that data should be used responsibly to benefit customers. This requires any legislative effort to balance providing consumers reasonable control, access, correction, and deletion rights of personal information, while protecting companies’ ability to continue to communicate with their customers and provide valuable services such as loyalty programs offered by many retailers.

“The American Data Privacy and Protection Act does not get this balance right as of yet. The legislation needs to be reworked to address substantial practical considerations. We will continue working constructively with committee staff and interested policy makers in constructing a bill that retailers can endorse.”

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.

Tags

• Privacy
• Public Policy
• Supporting Free Markets and Fostering Innovation