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Dem chairs request info on agency data use

Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security Federal Issues Data Collection / Aggregation U.S. House Data Brokers

Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security

On August 16, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security Bennie Thompson (D-MS) sent a letter to multiple government agency leaders, requesting information on their purchases and use of personal data from data brokers. According to the chairmen, “[c]ompanies participating in the data market acquire user information for package and sale through social media, mobile applications, web hosts, and other sources,” and such products “can include precise details on individuals’ location history, internet activity, and utilities information, to name a few.” The letter further noted that, “improper government acquisition of this data can thwart statutory and constitutional protections designed to protect Americans’ due process rights.” The letter also pointed out that the agencies receiving the letter “have contracts with numerous data brokers, who provide detailed information on millions of Americans.” The chairmen requested a briefing from the agencies, in addition to documents and communications related to contracts the government has had with data brokers, legal analyses on the use of personal data, and parameters and limitations set on the use of the data by the end of August.