Critics say proposed federal cybersecurity law hurts consumers victimized by a data breach

PHOENIX – You’ve heard the old adage, what you don’t know can’t hurt you.

But if your personal information is stolen by hackers, you want to know, and you want to know right away.

In fact, you might think you have a right to know if your personal information is stolen in a cyberattack on a company or a merchant you patronize.

While 47 states have laws addressing data breaches, there is currently no federal law requiring a company hit with a data breach to disclose information to customers.

And it is somewhat uncertain if companies like retailer Target or health insurer Anthem can be forced to report a data breach by state law.

Now, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has approved the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015.

If it is eventually passed into law, it would require businesses to notify consumers if hackers have stolen their personal information.

But some critics say the law could make the problem worse.

The law would only require businesses notify consumers if there is financial harm.

Opponents of the law say hackers may not use the data they steal immediately, but consumers need to know if they are vulnerable right away.

Critics also point out that the federal law would override all state laws that do more to protect consumers than the proposed bill.

You can read and track the progress of the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015 and let us know what you think.

The bill may go to a vote of the full House in the next few weeks and then it would be sent to the Senate.

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