Updates

People’s Privacy Act Introduced in Washington State

January 29, 2025

Washington Representative Shelley Kloba has introduced the People’s Privacy Act, a strong bill that includes meaningful privacy protections to protect Washingtonians.

The legislation is based on EPIC and Consumer Reports’ model state privacy bill. It includes data minimization provisions that meaningfully limit the collection and use of personal data. The legislation also bans the sale of sensitive data such as precise geolocation data, data about minors, and health data.

The legislation also includes strong enforcement provisions, stating that any violation is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition under the Washington Consumer Protection Act, which includes a private right of action.

“Our personal data is the new Western frontier—a resource so valuable that corporations track our every move to extract and exploit it,” said Rep. Kloba. “The People’s Privacy Act is about reclaiming our digital autonomy, protecting our safety, and putting control back where it belongs: in the hands of the people.”

“Representative Kloba’s People’s Privacy Act provides the broad privacy protections that Washingtonians need,” said Kara Williams, EPIC Law Fellow. “The bill sets meaningful limits on how much data companies can collect, prohibits the sale of sensitive data, and bans targeted advertising to kids and teens. EPIC urges the Washington State Legislature to enact this important legislation this session.” 

Massachusetts also recently introduced a similar bill modeled after EPIC and Consumer Report’s model state privacy bill.

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