Digital rights activists welcome bipartisan bill to protect Americans’ privacy

WASHINGTON – Digital rights activists have welcomed the introduction of a bill in the U.S. Congress to protect citizens’ data.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill that would prohibit intelligence and law enforcement agencies from accessing citizens’ data without authorization.

The bill, called the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act (FANFSA), was approved Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee.

The bill would close a loophole in federal law that allows the government to buy data that would otherwise require a warrant.

Digital rights groups have welcomed the bill, calling it an important step toward protecting Americans’ privacy.

The bill will now likely be considered by the full House of Representatives.

The bill would prohibit the government from acquiring data on Americans’ whereabouts, Internet activity or health care without a warrant.

U.S. intelligence agencies have long been accused of circumventing the Constitution to obtain protected location data in bulk, including data from Muslim dating and prayer apps.

The bill would also require the government to report to Congress on its use of data brokers.

Digital rights groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) have welcomed the bill, calling it an important step toward protecting Americans’ privacy.

Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the proposed legislation will protect Americans from unreasonable search or seizure.

“Sensitive data that can cover anything from Americans’ location data, internet activity, or healthcare data must be protected,” she added. 

“This is a civil rights issue and it’s time to ban this practice.”