Opinion
The Bi-Partisan DELETE Act Is Pro-Consumer and Pro-Competition
— February 18, 2022

By Robert Seamans
By Robert Seamans
According to the text of the bill, a data broker is an entity “that knowingly collects or obtains the personal information of an individual with whom the entity does not have a direct relationship and then—(i) uses the personal information to perform a service for a third party; or (ii) sells, licenses, trades, provides for consideration, or is otherwise compensated for disclosing personal information to a third party.” Note that by this definition, social media platforms such Facebook are excluded, because Facebook has a direct relationship with individual consumers.
The bill is aimed at increasing consumer transparency about which entities have data on them. It also empowers consumers to restrict access to their data for privacy reasons and identify when data is incorrect or being misused. Consumers that believe they benefit from data being used by third parties do not need to request the FTC to have their personal information deleted.
Read the full Forbes article.
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Robert Seamans is Associate Professor of Management and Organizations and Director of the Center for the Future of Management