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Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004

Introduced: May 13, 2004 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
May 13, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 13, 2004
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004 - Requires business enterprises to give U.S. citizens notice before transmitting personally identifiable information about such citizens to foreign affiliates or subcontractors located in countries with adequate privacy protections. Prohibits such transmittal where adequate privacy protections are lacking, unless: (1) the business enterprise discloses the lack of protections and obtains the citizen's prior consent for transmittal; and (2) such consent is renewed by the citizen within one year before the transmittal.

Prohibits business entities from denying goods and services or modifying business terms for any person based on that person's exercise of consent rights provided by this Act or other law.

Requires violations of this Act to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Creates a private right of action in State court for violations of this Act. Authorizes States, on behalf of their residents, to bring civil actions in Federal court for such violations. Requires prior notice to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of State actions and authorizes the FTC's intervention and appeal.

Directs the FTC to certify those countries that have legal systems providing adequate privacy protections. Creates a presumption of inadequacy for foreign laws that are less protective of privacy than Federal law or the law of any State, or where the FTC determines that enforcement is lacking. Requires certification of countries whose laws meet the requirements of the European Union Data Protection Directive, unless such laws are not adequately enforced.

What's happening now May 21, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4366: Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4366/
MLA
"H.R. 4366: Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4366/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4366, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4366/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4366: Personal Data Offshoring Protection Act of 2004](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-4366/)
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