ADPPA Would Surpass California’s Laws, but Improvements Remain

The American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) was passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 20, a proposal which experts and advocates agree is long overdue. However, objections from California leaders may threaten the bill’s passage.

Stacey Gray, the FPF’s Director of Legislative Research & Analysis, argues otherwise in a new editorial for Lawfare. Gray explains how the ADPPA compares to – and surpasses – state privacy protections established by California’s Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

In substance and privacy protections, the current version of the ADDPA addresses and is “significantly stronger” than both the CPPA and CPRA “in nearly every way,” Gray argues. The ADPPA incorporates “substantive rights,” establishes groundbreaking new national civil rights protections, and preserves current state administrative enforcement powers. 

“Any successful federal privacy law in the United States must be at least as protective as California’s current data protection framework for reasons that are both political and substantive,” said Stacey. “Congress can continue to strengthen and clarify the law to ensure that it exceeds the CPRA’s substantive provisions; preserves the CPPA’s existing enforcement powers; and establishes a single, strong comprehensive national privacy standard.”

To learn more, read Stacey’s op-ed here.