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Quick heads up that the Washington Privacy Act ( #WPA 3.0) will be the subject of a #WA State Senate Hearing starting at 10:30am PST; I’ll tweet highlights from the hearing on this thread. If you’d like to watch the hearing live, here's the link: https://tinyurl.com/y3g5sc6u
Re: background, the #WPA concerns the "management, oversight, and use of data," was introduced on Jan. 5, and has the support of numerous co-sponsors, incl. @Reuvencarlyle and @senjoenguyen. See the Senate Bill report here: https://tinyurl.com/yyboayc9
As a general recap, this is the third attempt at passing comprehensive consumer privacy reform in Washington State. At #FPF, we have noted that previous versions of the #WPA would have incorporated "protections that go beyond those in the #CCPA." https://tinyurl.com/y3blrutb
Today's testimony — @waretail "commits in good faith to pass a privacy bill this session" (suggests changes to scope); @WTIA is in support, and "underscores the delicate balance" present w/in enforcement provisions; @InternetAssn looks forward to unpacking opt-outs.
@ConsumerReports recommends placing less obligations/onus on consumers; and @CommonSense commends the years of work that went into the bill + suggests heightened protections for teens & limitations on online behavioral advertising. Asks for more information about AG enforcement.
@AGOWA notes the need of a sunset date for citations, and will "continue advocate for a private right of action," thanks the committee for giving the AG "the tools they need to do their job." @Microsoft is in support of the bill, and @American_Heart offers targeted feedback.
@ACLU_WA is not in support of the #WPA, noting concerns from this and previous iterations ( https://tinyurl.com/y4zk47d2 ) — Sen. Erickson asks @jennifer_e_lee for top concerns, and is concerned with this law turning into a "cash cow for lawyers."
@lisawellman44 (in support of the bill) doesn't hear people demanding protections for their data & wonders how many people are feeling that their data has been misused. "What is the problem for the public that we are addressing?" "I'm not seeing it."
@Reuvencarlyle offers more resources and information to address the concerns the #WPA addresses. Individuals speaking include: a concerned citizen noting the lack of protections for student-directed surveys and a proponent hoping the #WPA becomes the gold standard for the US.
Re: tracking pixels that may reveal a consumer's sensitive data, @wajustice notes a potential misalignment and points out the need for more attention the bill's definition of health information. @cair_wa supports opt-ins, and suggests limitations on data sharing with government.
Not in support, @Parents4Privacy notes many of the concerns they raised in a recent blog post: https://studentprivacymatters.org/washington-privacy-act-sb5062-does-not-go-far-enough-to-protect-consumers-or-students/
While recognizing that "privacy is under siege," @ConsumerFed is opposed to the bill — noting the many "exemptions" and "loopholes" that "neuter the protections" the bill offers. Also recommends COVID-specific provisions be split into a separate bill.
That's all folks! I didn't capture everyone, and if I have mischaracterized comments, I apologize in advance — the full video of the event can be found here (Q&A is still happening): https://tinyurl.com/y3g5sc6u . Looking forward to following these developments with @futureofprivacy!
