Blumenthal to reintroduce personal data protection bill

In the wake of  customer data breaches at Target and Neiman Marcus, Sen. Richard Blumenthal plans to reintroduce legislation this year to protect personal data.

“Consumers need and deserve to know about these data breaches, and retailers should be held accountable for failing to notify them more promptly,” Blumenthal said in a press release. “Although government intelligence reform is in the headlines, we should be equally concerned about security of confidential information in private business hands ”“ and protect privacy rights that may be vulnerable or violated.”

This session, Blumenthal said he plans to reintroduce the Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act, which he also sponsored in 2011. The legislation requires companies take adequate steps to protect consumer data, promote information exchanges between targeted companies and provide a remedy for affected consumers to recover damages.

“Credible recent reports indicate that cyber thieves are mercilessly raiding retailers nationwide with new malware that puts customers at massive risk,” Blumenthal said. “I urge federal agencies to vigorously investigate and prosecute cyber thieves ”“ and warn the public to create awareness. I will urgently work for legislation to require these steps ”“ better protection, prompter notification, stiffer prosecution and punishment.”