Sen. Leahy urges Congress to pass national data breach legislation

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) urged his colleagues to pass a national law telling companies when and how they must inform consumers their data has breached.

Chairman Leahy issued a statement in advance of Data Privacy Day on Jan 28 arguing that the need for a national data breach standard is greater than ever due to the recent string of high-profile attacks on e-commerce firms and government institutions. "Even as the Internet and other rapidly advancing technologies spur economic growth and expand opportunity, there is growing uncertainty and unease about how Americans’ sensitive personal information is collected, shared and stored," Sen Leahy said. "After a record year of high profile data breaches in the private sector and throughout government, it is more important than ever that Congress step forward and enact meaningful data privacy legislation." Chairman Leahy noted the Judiciary Committee reported his Personal Data Privacy and Security Act in September and has passed similar legislation three times. The bill would force e-commerce firms to take measures to protect consumers' data and create a single nationwide standard for breach notification.

Chairman Leahy also argued a data breach provision should be part of any comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, which the Senate is set to consider in the coming weeks.