Your personal and financial data is constantly being used. Some of those uses are authorized and some are not. Rep. Larry Bucshon, Republican representing southwest Indiana in DC, is helping look over draft legislation that could help protect your data.

“Today it’s difficult for Americans to go about their daily lives without some form of data about them being collected, stored and used by businesses or government entities around the world,” said Bucshon, talking to the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the American Data Privacy and Protection Act.

The Act is essentially a federal privacy law that first by law, minimizes the kind of data and the amount of data that can be collected, even with permission.

It also specifies that certain types of data cannot be collected at all without a warrant or express permission, including: biometric information, genetic information, aggregated internet browsing and search history, physical activity information, and transferring precise geolocation information to third parties.

Social Security numbers, password information, and nonconsensual intimate images are

subject to further restrictions.

“Over the last ten years we’ve seen too many instances of controllers of my constituent’s data not having adequate internal systems and protections for data they use, which is why I am glad that the draft includes privacy-by-design guidelines that account for things such as the size of the company, the types of data collected and the risks associated,” said the Congressman.

The draft legislation is only being considered and has been criticized by some advocacy groups for not being strong enough.