This week, the US Congress will consider the establishment of nationwide data privacy rules.  A Tuesday hearing of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, which is part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will be devoted to the issue, and on Wednesday it will be debated by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

While the idea of a new federal data privacy law is supported by businesses, consumers and politicians alike, it is not yet clear what form a new regulation should take, nor whether or not the federal legislation should supersede state laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act that will go into force next year. Giving priority to state laws seems to be the preference of advocates for consumer rights and of Democratic lawmakers who control the House. However, Republican policy makers who control the Senate want federal rules to supersede state regulations, as do industry representatives.

Read more: Congress considers a national standard for data privacy