H.R. 2520: BROWSER Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-05-18 · Commerce · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-05-18 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

BROWSER Act of 2017

Plain summary

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: 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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

BROWSER Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7] · 7 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7] reported raising $3.2 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr2520.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr2520 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115