Schakowsky Leads Innovation, Data, & Commerce Subcommittee Members in Call for Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation Following Rite Aid's Misuse of Facial Recognition Technology

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led her fellow Subcommittee members, Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Lori Trahan (MA-03), in calling for the passage of comprehensive federal data privacy legislation and the Algorithmic Accountability Act following Rite Aid's discriminatory and deceptive misuse of facial recognition technology:

“Discriminatory and deceptive uses of artificial intelligence (AI), like Rite Aid's misuse of facial recognition technology, are harming Americans as we speak. Facial recognition technology has been shown time and again to fail people of color and women, with devastating consequences. Its use on unsuspecting consumers is unacceptable, and it should never be used to harass, profile, or humiliate.

“Our Subcommittee has worked for years on legislation to address these harms, including comprehensive federal data privacy legislation and the Algorithmic Accountability Act. Now is the time to protect consumers by passing commonsense measures. These bills hold companies accountable for their use of consumers’ data and their deployment of discriminatory algorithms. We applaud the Federal Trade Commission’s action yesterday which sends a clear message: there is no AI-exception to companies’ responsibilities to operate fairly without deception or discrimination.”

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