Google, Facebook Ad Models Under Fire in House Privacy Proposal

  • Measure could limit online tracking and sharing of user data
  • Critics say bill could favor giant players, hurt smaller firms
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Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Facebook Inc. would face limits on the online tracking and data sharing that power their advertising businesses under a bipartisan House proposal to establish the nation’s first federal privacy law.

The draft legislation from the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which oversees online privacy issues, could diminish companies’ ability to monitor users across the web and require them to get permission to share their customers’ data with others. It would also allow consumers to opt out of receiving advertising from companies with which they already have relationships.