Pallone, Schakowsky, DeGette: "More Needs to Be Done to Protect Personal Data"

Lawmakers Call for Stronger Protections for Consumers Following Breaches

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO), and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the resignation of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Katherine Archuleta. Yesterday, updated reports showed that 21.5 million individuals had sensitive information stolen in two separate breaches of OPM's computer system:

"Massive breaches are all too common these days, and it is critical that leaders of companies and agencies alike pursue effective policies that protect the public when it comes to their personal data. Frankly, not enough is being done at the front end to ensure that systems are protected, nor after a breach to protect those whose information may have been compromised.

"Just yesterday, we wrote to the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to ask what more can be done to protect consumers. People deserve to know that their information is safe, but, in the event of a breach, they need to know what options are available to them in order to prevent further harm. We look forward to hearing from the agency's later this month and working to develop smart policies that keep hackers from using stolen data."

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