PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 18, 2017
Balancing the Rights Of Web Surfers Equally and Responsibly Act of 2017 or the BROWSER Act of 2017
This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to enforce information privacy protections that require broadband Internet access services and certain websites or mobile applications providing subscription, account, purchase, or search engine services to allow users to opt-in or opt-out of the use, disclosure, or access to their user information depending on the sensitivity of the information.
Opt-in approval through the user's express consent must be obtained for the use of sensitive information that is:
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financial information,
health information,
about children under 13,
Social Security numbers,
precise geo-location information,
content of communications,
web browsing history, or
history of usage of a software program or mobile application.
Opt-out approval must be provided for the use of non-sensitive user information under a method in which users are deemed to have consented if they fail to object after being provided notice of privacy policies.
The bill allows a service provider to use information without approval for specified purposes, including for services necessary for provision of the service and to initiate, render, bill, and collect for the service.
Service providers must allow users to grant, deny, or withdraw approval at any time.
The bill prohibits providers from conditioning service on a user's agreement to waive privacy rights.
People & committees
Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7] · R–TN
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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