Schakowsky, DCCP Democrats request further committee action on Equifax data breach

Today, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection (DCCP) Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky led the Democratic members of the Subcommittee, including Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, on a letter requesting further hearings to examine the Equifax data breach and bipartisan cooperation on legislation to protect consumers’ data. The letter, sent to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and DCCP Chairman Bob Latta, acknowledged the importance of DCCP’s initial efforts, but highlighted how the Subcommittee’s initial hearing fell short, saying:

“The testimony of Equifax’s former Chairman and CEO, Richard F. Smith, was an important first step for our Committee, but too many questions remain unanswered. Mr. Smith was unable to provide the Committee with satisfactory information on what made the breach possible. Members on both sides of the aisle expressed confusion throughout the hearing when his explanations seemed to contradict each other.”

The members also pointed out how Richard Smith was unable to provide answers regarding how Equifax would deal with data security issues going forward, given his recent ouster from the company. The letter reads:

“In his current position as a temporary unpaid advisor to Equifax, Mr. Smith could not offer a clear view of the company’s response to the breach going forward or provide the Committee with assurances on its future conduct. Consumers need specific answers on how Equifax’s promised free credit lock will work and the specific protections it will provide.”

The members specifically requested testimony from interim CEO Paulino do Rego Barros, Jr. and Chief Legal Officer John J. Kelley III. In addition, the members called for progress on legislation to protect consumers from future data breaches:

“We are hopeful that the Committee can advance bipartisan legislation out of the full Committee before December 15, 2017, that requires enforceable robust data security practices, meaningful notice to consumers, and meaningful protections for victims of a breach.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky and the Democratic members of DCCP are committed to obtaining answers and legislative action for the 145.5 million Americans affected by the Equifax data breach. The full text of the letter can be found in a pdf format here.