Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting consumers' data rights and holding major technology companies accountable for using creators’ copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence (AI) models without permission.

The proposal follows a recent Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing where Senator Hawley raised concerns about AI companies' actions regarding intellectual property. He described the situation as “the largest intellectual property theft in American history.”

“AI companies are robbing the American people blind while leaving artists, writers, and other creators with zero recourse. It’s time for Congress to give the American worker their day in court to protect their personal data and creative works. My bipartisan legislation would finally empower working Americans who now find their livelihoods in the crosshairs of Big Tech’s lawlessness,” said Senator Hawley.

Senator Blumenthal added, “This bill embodies a bipartisan consensus that AI safeguards are urgent—because the technology is moving at accelerating speed, and so are dangers to privacy. Enforceable rules can put consumers back in control of their data, and help bar abuses. Tech companies must be held accountable—and liable legally—when they breach consumer privacy, collecting, monetizing or sharing personal information without express consent. Consumers must be given rights and remedies—and legal tools to make them real—not relying on government enforcement alone.”

Previously, Senators Hawley and Blumenthal collaborated on efforts to give users more power over how large technology firms handle their data. Their new measure, called the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act, seeks several changes:

- The bill would prevent AI companies from using copyrighted materials for training or generating content without explicit permission.

- It creates a federal right for individuals to sue if their personal data or copyrighted works are used without clear consent.

- Companies would be required to disclose all third parties that will access an individual’s data when seeking consent.

- The legislation provides for significant financial penalties, injunctive relief, class action participation rights, and other legal remedies.

The full text of the bill is available online.