A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The DELETE Act aims to create a centralized system for individuals to request the simultaneous deletion of their personal information from all registered data brokers. It requires data brokers to register with the Federal Trade Commission and provide specific details about their data collection and opt-out methods. Through this system, a person can submit a single request to have their data deleted and stop future collection of their personal information. Registered data brokers must check the centralized system's hashed registries at least once every 31 days to identify and process these requests. The bill also establishes an annual subscription fee for data brokers to access this database.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +10
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill establishes a highly effective centralized mechanism for individuals to control and delete their personal data.
- Scored +10
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides significant new rights for individuals to delete their personal information across all data brokers.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill significantly strengthens consumer privacy by providing a centralized mechanism to opt-out of data broker tracking.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Data brokers will face new compliance costs, registration requirements, and annual fees.
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill includes federal preemption that may limit the scope of state-level privacy laws.
- Scored -2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
While intended for privacy, the centralization of identity data in a government system could present new surveillance risks.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Simplified Data Deletion: Individuals can use a single submission through a centralized system to request that every registered data broker delete their personal information and stop future collection (Sec. 2(b)(1)(A)(ii)).
-
Streamlined Opt-Outs: The system provides a standardized form that allows people to easily request the deletion of all related personal information (Sec. 2(b)(1)(B)(i)).
-
Increased Transparency: Data brokers must register with the Commission and provide information regarding the types of information they collect and their opt-out methods, which the Commission will make publicly available (Sec. 2(a)(1)(A) and Sec. 2(a)(2)(A)).
-
Privacy Protections: The centralized system is required to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to protect an individual's personal information from unauthorized use or access (Sec. 2(b)(1)(A)(i)).
-
Cost-Free for Individuals: The centralized system is prohibited from charging individuals to make a deletion request (Sec. 2(b)(1)(B)(viii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Data Accuracy Risks: The Commission includes a disclaimer stating that it cannot confirm the accuracy of the information provided by data brokers in their registrations (Sec. 2(a)(2)(B)(i)).
-
Contact Risks: Individuals are notified that they may contact data brokers at their own risk (Sec. 2(a)(2)(B)(i)).
-
Limited Information Deletion: Data brokers are permitted to retain certain information, such as data required to comply with a warrant, subpoena, or court order, which may prevent total deletion (Sec. 2(b)(2)(A)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill establishes a highly effective centralized mechanism for individuals to control and delete their personal data. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill imposes new regulatory requirements on data brokers to facilitate user privacy.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides significant new rights for individuals to delete their personal information across all data brokers. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires data brokers to make registration and collection details publicly available. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the FTC's regulatory authority over data brokers. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill includes federal preemption that may limit the scope of state-level privacy laws.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill significantly strengthens consumer privacy by providing a centralized mechanism to opt-out of data broker tracking.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Data brokers will face new compliance costs, registration requirements, and annual fees.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — While intended for privacy, the centralization of identity data in a government system could present new surveillance risks.
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California