Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in approving legislation aimed at protecting consumers from data theft of personal information including credit details and computer files.  

“In today’s digital world residents are increasingly vulnerable to predators seeking to use their high tech skills to seize personal information,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This legislation provides consumers with added protection from losing their money, data and identity.”

The Data Accountability and Trust (Act H.R.2221) holds retailers and others in possession of a consumer’s personal and credit information accountable for providing security policies and procedures that protect the data from an outside source.  In addition, it requires the entity to notify you when there is a security breach or when data is compromised.  

The Informed P2P User Act (H.R.1319) addresses the increasingly frequent problem of consumers inadvertently exposing their private, sensitive information by way of peer-to-peer file sharing programs.   Recent media reports have focused on consumers unknowingly sharing their tax returns and social security numbers on P2P networks. This legislation provides consumers with the power of informed consent before they download P2P software onto their computers and share folders and files with network participants.

According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, almost 340 million records containing “sensitive personal information” have been “involved in security breaches since January 2005.”