Congress should pass legislation to create a national privacy framework that streamlines regulation, preempts state laws, establishes basic consumer data rights, and minimizes the impact on innovation.

To Do: Create a National Privacy Framework

In response to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pledging more corporate transparency at the Summit for Democracy, Center for Data Innovation Director Daniel Castro issued the following statement.

Center for Data Innovation Welcomes Commitment to Corporate Transparency, Urges More Action 

Data can greatly improve financial reporting.

Congress Should Not Undo Progress on Financial Data Reform

Congress should require utility providers to provide consumers access to their consumption data at no cost, in a timely manner, using an open standard.

To Do: Let Consumers Access Utility Data

To avoid a patchwork of conflicting state privacy laws and unnecessary costs, Congress should act swiftly to pass comprehensive federal privacy legislation that preempts states, streamlines regulation, establishes basic consumer data rights, and minimizes the impact on innovation.

Testimony to the House Administration Committee on “Big Data: Privacy Risks and Needed Reforms in the Public and Private Sectors”

Testimony to the House Administration Committee on "Big Data: Privacy Risks and Needed Reforms in the Public and Private Sectors"

Congress should amend laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to make it easier for Americans not just to opt out of data sharing, but to opt in to donating their data for altruistic purposes such as health care and educational research.

To Do: Make It Easier for Americans to Donate Their Data

Congress should explicitly allow utilities, telecommunications companies, and landlords to report on-time payments to credit-reporting agencies.

To Do: Promote Alternative Credit Data

Congress should repeal and replace existing federal privacy laws with a common set of protections. We need comprehensive data privacy legislation that preempts state laws, improves transparency requirements, strengthens enforcement, and establishes a clear set of data privacy rights for Americans based on the sensitivity of the data and the context in which it is collected.

A Grand Bargain on Data Privacy Legislation for America

Congress should reform the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to ensure citizens have a right to privacy for electronic data whether it is stored on a device or remotely in the cloud.

To Do: Require Corporate Data Transparency

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Editors’ Recommendations

10 Steps Congress Can Take to Accelerate Data Innovation

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To Do: Create a National Privacy Framework

Center for Data Innovation Welcomes Commitment to Corporate Transparency, Urges More Action

Congress Should Not Undo Progress on Financial Data Reform