The American Data Privacy Protection Act (ADPPA): What It Is and Why It Matters

Data privacy has become a major concern in recent years, as more and more personal information is being collected and shared online. To address this issue, many countries have enacted data privacy laws to protect their citizens' personal information. In the United States, the American Data Privacy Protection Act (ADPPA) is the latest attempt to regulate data privacy. This would be a federal privacy act encompassing the entire country versus the state laws that have been passed and the ones that are up for vote. The most popular state law being CPRA in California and the most popular global data privacy law being GDPR in Europe. 

What is the ADPPA?

The ADPPA is a proposed federal law that aims to protect individuals' personal information from misuse and abuse by companies and other organizations. The bill was first introduced in the Senate in 2019 by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and it has since undergone several revisions and updates.

The ADPPA is designed to give individuals more control over their personal data by requiring companies to obtain explicit consent before collecting or sharing it. It would also give individuals the right to access and correct their personal data, as well as the right to request that it be deleted. Companies that violate the law would be subject to fines and other penalties.

Why is the ADPPA important?

The ADPPA is important because it would provide a national standard for data privacy regulation in the United States. Currently, data privacy laws are largely handled at the state level, which can create confusion and inconsistency for both individuals and companies.

The ADPPA would also give individuals more control over their personal data, which is especially important in the digital age. With so much personal information being collected and shared online, individuals need to know that their data is being handled responsibly and ethically.

Finally, the ADPPA would help to level the playing field for companies. Currently, some companies are able to exploit individuals' personal data for their own gain, while others follow more ethical practices. The ADPPA would create a more even playing field by requiring all companies to follow the same rules.

What are the potential drawbacks of the ADPPA?

While the ADPPA has many potential benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. For example, some critics argue that the law could stifle innovation and economic growth by placing too many restrictions on companies. Others worry that the law could create additional bureaucracy and red tape, making it more difficult for companies to comply.

Additionally, some experts argue that the ADPPA doesn't go far enough in protecting individuals' personal data. For example, the law only applies to companies that collect data from more than 100,000 individuals or generate more than $25 million in annual revenue. This means that smaller companies could still collect and share personal data without facing any regulation.

When Will Biden Sign the ADPPA?

The American Data Privacy Protection Act is an important piece of legislation that could have far-reaching implications for data privacy in the United States. While there are potential drawbacks to consider, the ADPPA has the potential to provide a much-needed national standard for data privacy regulation while also giving individuals more control over their personal data. As the bill continues to be debated and revised, we patiently wait for the Biden administration to act on it. In the meantime we make sure to help with compliance on state and international data privacy laws.