Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Online Privacy Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive federal protections for individuals' personal information online by creating individual privacy rights, setting requirements for companies that collect personal data, and establishing a new independent Digital Privacy Agency to enforce the law. The legislation grants individuals rights including deletion of personal information, access to data, and restrictions on behavioral targeting, while requiring companies to obtain consent before collecting sensitive information and to limit employee access to personal data. The bill creates a Digital Privacy Agency headed by a Senate-confirmed Director with authority to investigate violations, issue subpoenas, and impose civil penalties, while also authorizing state attorneys general and private individuals to sue for violations through courts. The law receives $550 million in annual funding for fiscal years 2026-2030 and takes effect one year after enactment, though the agency may begin rulemaking immediately, and includes provisions for federal research on privacy-preserving technologies and whistleblower protections that allow individuals to recover a portion of any civil penalties collected.
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