Rep. Sykes’s Amendment To Protect Americans From Being Tracked Electronically Without Their Consent Passes Out Of House Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) announced the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee voted to pass her amendment to H.R. 4755, the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act, out of committee. Rep. Sykes’s amendment will support research to protect Americans from being tracked electronically without their consent.
While Bluetooth tagging devices are intended to track property, not people, crimes have been reported across the country involving the use of Bluetooth tagging devices to stalk victims, specifically younger women and women being stalked by former spouses or relationship partners.
“No one should live in fear of being electronically tracked without their consent. Normally, geotracking tracking devices are used to locate inconspicuous items like luggage or keys, but when I served in the Ohio House of Representatives, a constituent from Akron made me aware that anyone can use this technology to secretly track or stalk people. It was quickly clear to me we do not have a thorough understanding of the impacts or scope of these geotracking devices, and since then, I have worked to equip governments and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to stop this abuse,” said Rep. Sykes. “Now in Congress, I am proud to lead this amendment which will help prevent a very useful technology from being used for nefarious purposes. This research will help ensure all Americans can live safely and securely in their communities.”
While serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, Rep. Sykes introduced H.B. 672, bipartisan legislation to prohibit a person from knowingly installing a tracking device or tracking application on another person’s property without the other person’s consent.
H.R. 4755 now awaits consideration by the full U.S. House of Representatives.