Combatting Private Data Collection – Tennessee Information Protection Act Heads To Committee

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov & P3D7AQ09M6 / CC & Public Domain

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

The Tennessee Information Protection Act, which aims to protect Tennessean’s privacy and security by guarding them from Big Tech’s private data collection efforts, has officially been scheduled for consideration in committee next week. 

Senate Bill 0073 (SB0073) is sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson-District 11) and the corresponding House Bill, HB1181, is sponsored by Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville-District 45). 

According to the bill summary, this Act would be applied to persons that conduct business within the state or target the state’s consumer base and that either “During a calendar year, control or process personal information of at least 100,000 consumers,” or “Control or process personal information of at least 25,000 consumers and derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of personal information.”

Currently, there is no state law prohibiting these Big Tech corporations from selling personal data to third parties, nor is there any action that Tennessee residents can take to get such companies like Amazon, Facebook, TikTok, etc. to delete or return their personal information. 

This legislation would not only change that but would also give the Tennessee Attorney General authority to sue on behalf of state residents if companies do not adhere to the new law. 

SB0073 has been scheduled for consideration by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on March 14^th, 2023. 

If you want to support this legislation, use the information below to contact the senators on the committee.

Sen. Paul Bailey (R) (Chair) – sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3978

Sen. Art Swann (R) (Vice-Chair) – sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0981

Sen. Frank Niceley (R) (2^nd Vice-Chair) – sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2061

Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D) – sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1767

Sen. Jack Johnson (R) – sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495

Sen. Shane Reeves (R) – sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1066

Sen. Steve Southerland (R) – sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3851

Sen. Bo Watson (R) (Bill Sponsor) – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3227

Sen. Ken Yager (R) – sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449

HB1181 has been scheduled for consideration by the House Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee on March 14^th, 2023. 

If you want to support this legislation, use the information below to contact the representatives on the subcommittee. 

Rep. Dennis Powers (R) – rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3335

Rep. Jody Barrett (R) – rep.jody.barrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3513

Rep. Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448

Rep. Karen Camper (D) – rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1898

Rep. Jeremy Faison (R) – rep.jeremy.faison@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6871

Rep. Jonny Garrett (R) (Bill Sponsor) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893

Rep. Susan Lynn (R) – rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7462

Rep. Mike Sparks (R) – rep.mike.sparks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6829

Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R) – rep.kevin.vaughan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1866

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.