Personal Information Miners are Thieves

I’ve gotten one “reply” back thus far,
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) writes:

Dear Mr. Pandone:

Thank you for contacting me about strong data privacy laws. I always appreciate hearing from Arizonans about issues facing our state and country. It is important that we have conversations about topics that matter to you and your family, and I hope you will continue to reach out to me and share your perspectives and suggestions.

The United States does not have a comprehensive law regulating data privacy for all Americans. As technology has evolved, Congress has enacted a number of narrow federal laws to regulate how data is collected, protected, and used. These federal laws have resulted in a patchwork of guidelines that treat data differently depending on the type of information gathered or the industry collecting the material. For example, different federal regulations apply to health data, children’s data, and data held by financial institutions.

Other jurisdictions have passed broader laws regulating data usage. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was signed into law on May 25, 2018, requires companies that collect data on European citizens to provide the right to opt in and the “right to be forgotten,” which is the ability of consumers to delete their data under certain circumstances. Companies must also notify consumers during a data breach. Additionally, the GDPR requires companies to anonymize collected data and provide the right to portability, which is the ability of consumers to transfer their data across borders and service providers.

U.S. state legislatures have also begun to pass laws on data privacy. Most notable is the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), signed into law on June 28, 2018. Under the CCPA, companies that collect data on California residents must provide consumers with several protections. These protections include the right to opt out and the right to be forgotten. The CCPA also requires companies to provide the “right to know,” or the ability to request information about the type of data being collected, methods used, and third parties with whom personal information may be shared. The CCPA also requires companies to notify consumers during a data breach.

Supporters of broad, economy-wide federal data privacy measures contend such laws empower consumers to take control of their data and protect their personal information. Opponents argue these laws create overly burdensome regulations for companies and are not specific enough for businesses to comply, which puts companies at risk of significant penalties and fines, and may stifle innovation. At this time, legislation on data privacy has not been introduced in the United States Senate.

Arizonans value their privacy. Without a single, comprehensive privacy law, many are unable to understand how personal information is used and have therefore grown increasingly concerned about the privacy and security of personal data. Congress plays an important role in reassessing our laws, ensuring they are responsive to today’s technologies, and striking the appropriate balance between our security and our constitutional right to privacy. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, I worked to pass legislation that protects populations particularly vulnerable to privacy abuse and identity theft, including children and seniors. As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I am committed to finding thoughtful solutions to privacy that promote transparency and protect fundamental privacy rights while ensuring continued access to the technology that makes life easier and better for Arizona families.

Thank you for sharing your view on this issue with me. Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any future questions or comments. Additionally, if you would like to stay connected to our office with the latest news, legislation, and other useful information, please visit our website, sinema.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

Signature

Kyrsten Sinema
United States Senator

To which I replied:

Sen. Sinema,

You had much to say about laws enacted elsewhere, and what legislation does and doesn’t exist in places not of our state and not of our nation. I wonder if you even read the ideas I extended on this issue and what you might have to say about my suggestions if you had read them. You didn’t mention any of them; not one.

Like most politicians, you blather on around a topic as if “you’re on top of things” and have likely sent that same reply to as many people who addressed their concerns about their personal data security saying nothing about what is right, what is happening, and what must be done to preserve the liberty of Americans and rights of the State of Arizona.

You are one of two senators for the State of Arizona so you had the opportunity to hear my concerns. I didn’t vote to put you in office. Nothing that you’ve said on issues I’ve heard televised or in response to my various concerns expressed to your office would sway me to vote in support of putting you in that office for a repeat term. In short, I’m not impressed.

I look for you as Senator to continue to defend the rights of the State of Arizona against an overreaching centralized Federal government as is the task entrusted to Senators; two per state to defend the state’s rights. Considering where the Democratic Party philosophy is heading at this point, I hold serious doubt you either understand or recognize that last statement.

Please thank your office staff on my behalf for their efforts to reply.

From the personal email of:

David A. Pandone