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HR 3685 104th Congress House

Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act

Official title: To require the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to take action, as necessary, to protect consumer privacy in light of the convergence of communications technologies.

Introduced: June 20, 1996 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Commerce Administrative procedureCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesComputer networksCongress
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Congressional reporting requirementsConsumer educationConsumer protectionData banksFederal Trade CommissionGovernment Operations and PoliticsIndependent regulatory commissionsInformation networksInformation servicesLawLegislationRight of privacyScience, Technology, CommunicationsTelecommunication industry
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This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 28, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.
Jun 28, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Jun 20, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Jun 20, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1145-1146)
Jun 20, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 28, 1996

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to take action through proceedings to ensure that consumer privacy rights are protected in new telecommunications services and systems.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3685: Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3685/
MLA
"H.R. 3685: Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3685/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3685, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3685/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3685: Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3685/)
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