Privacy Protests About Senate Cybersecurity Bill Grow Louder

Cybersecurity legislation is on the Senate floor, but widespread worry over the security of Americans’ personal information threatens the likelihood of the bill passing before the August recess. Another question floating around among cybersecurity experts is more fundamental -- will the bill actually improve computer security? The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S. 754) is already vocally opposed by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who was the only member of the Senate Intelligence Committee to vote against the bill as it ultimately passed the panel 14-1. Sen Wyden is not alone in voicing these concerns. Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, along with the Department of Homeland Security, harbor growing apprehensions.

Keith Chu, Sen Wyden’s press secretary, said that there is a “strong and significant number” of senators from both parties who want to see amendments to the bill. “Clearly there are members on both sides of the aisle who think there need to be a number of amendments,” he said. Sen Wyden reiterated his worries that the bill “collects enormous amounts of personal information on Americans and has very little, if anything, to protect the privacy of the American people.” Sen Al Franken (D-MN) has also been outspoken regarding privacy and wants to see the introduction of amendments to address the concerns. He believes it’s crucial that senators have a real opportunity to offer amendments, specifically ones that would address the standards for the removal of unnecessary personal information and the scope of the bill’s authorizations, according to a Sen Franken aide.