The Four Ps of Privacy: Small Businesses’ Unified Call for a Thoughtful Federal Privacy Bill

In the absence of a national privacy law, disparate and misaligned approaches to protecting individuals’ privacy continue to evolve and conflict with the most effective approaches to privacy and security that developers build. The latest privacy bill to gain momentum, the American Privacy Rights Act of 2024 (APRA), includes several familiar concepts, including consumer “rights,” a preemption provision, and a private right of action. As we evaluate the draft bill, we will be looking at it closely to determine how it matches up against our “four Ps” of privacy. Whether APRA strikes the right balance on our principles for federal privacy legislation will inform whether we can support the bill or will ask negotiators to go back to the drawing board.

Small Business Perspective

Tech entrepreneurs, like our members, are not just at the forefront of ensuring data privacy, but they are also experts in promoting the responsible use of data for their customers and securing personal data against unauthorized access. Their deep understanding of the critical need for a national privacy framework is the impetus behind the effort with our members to pen a letter to Congress, advocating for the enactment of a national privacy law that fosters a secure, transparent, and innovative digital landscape, centered on the “four Ps” of privacy: Preemption, Protection, Path to Compliance, and strict limits on any Private Right of Action. These four principles are pivotal for establishing a unified privacy standard that simplifies compliance for businesses, particularly small enterprises, and bolsters consumer trust and existing security measures.

By advocating for these key tenets, our members aim to create a digital ecosystem where innovation thrives and consumers feel safe. Our letter to congressional leadership underscores our commitment to championing the interests of our members and the broader app economy, ensuring that America remains at the forefront of digital excellence and integrity. Read the full letter outlining all of our members’ detailed concerns below or at the link here.