An Act To improve the safety and security of Members of Congress, immediate family members of Members of Congress, and congressional staff.
Summary
The Act aims to enhance the safety and security of Members of Congress, their immediate family members, and congressional staff by protecting their covered information in public records. It defines 'at-risk individuals' and 'covered information,' including home addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details. The Act restricts government agencies, data brokers, and other businesses from publicly posting or transferring this information.
Expected Effects
This Act will likely reduce the risk of harassment, threats, and violence against Members of Congress, their families, and staff by limiting access to their personal information. It establishes procedures for at-risk individuals to request the removal of their covered information from public records and prohibits data brokers from selling or transferring such information. The Act also provides a redress mechanism for individuals whose covered information is unlawfully made public.
Potential Benefits
- Increased personal safety for Members of Congress, their families, and staff.
- Reduced risk of doxxing and online harassment.
- Enhanced privacy for individuals in public service.
- Clearer guidelines for government agencies and data brokers regarding the handling of personal information.
- Legal recourse for victims of privacy violations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential limitations on transparency and public access to information about elected officials.
- Possible chilling effect on legitimate news reporting and commentary.
- Increased administrative burden for government agencies and businesses to comply with the Act.
- Risk of overly broad interpretation, potentially hindering freedom of information.
- Difficulty in enforcing the provisions against data brokers operating outside the United States.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's focus on protecting personal information could be seen as balancing individual rights with the public interest. While the Constitution does not explicitly address data privacy, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the press, which could be impacted by restrictions on publishing covered information. The Act includes rules of construction to mitigate these concerns, ensuring it does not unduly restrain lawful investigation or reporting on matters of public concern. The balance between privacy and freedom of information will be key to its constitutional application.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).