WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in introducing the Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021, which would improve the transparency of online platforms, strengthen consumers’ options when a data breach occurs and ensure companies comply with privacy policies that protect consumers.

“It’s common sense that people have a right to data privacy, and that right does not evaporate when someone logs on to their social media profile. Social media companies have a duty to protect their users’ data and to offer quick solutions when a breach occurs. The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act would strengthen users’ control over their own data and better protect their privacy,” said Kennedy. 

“For too long companies have profited off of Americans’ online data while consumers have been left in the dark. This legislation will protect and empower consumers by allowing them to make choices about how companies use their data and inform them of how they can protect personal information,” said Klobuchar.

Social media and other online platforms routinely capture users’ behavior and personal information, which they then use to help advertisers or other third parties target those users.

The Social Media Privacy Protection and Consumer Rights Act of 2021 would:

• Give consumers the right to opt out and keep their information private by disabling data tracking and collection,
• Provide users greater access to and control over their data,
• Require terms of service agreements to be in plain language,
• Ensure users have the ability to see what information about them has already been collected and shared,
• Mandate that users be notified of a breach of their information within 72 hours,
• Offer remedies for users when a breach occurs, and
• Require that online platforms have a privacy program in place.