Sen. Ted Cruz blocks bill that would extend privacy protections to all Americans, stirring controversy in Washington and fueling the national debate over digital privacy rights. The blocked legislation, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), aimed to extend the same protections currently afforded to federal lawmakers and officials to every U.S. citizen.
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Wyden’s Push To Expand Privacy Protections
On Monday night, Wyden brought the Protecting Americans from Doxing and Political Violence Act (S.2850) to the Senate floor, seeking unanimous consent for its passage.
The bill, already supported in bipartisan provisions, was designed to stop data brokers from selling or trading the personal information of ordinary Americans—just as it already does for government officials and their families.
“Members of Congress should not receive special treatment,” Wyden emphasized. “Our constituents deserve protection from violence, stalking, and other criminal threats.”
He also noted that extending these protections would safeguard U.S. military and intelligence personnel, including undercover officers.
Why Ted Cruz Blocked The Bill
Cruz was the lone senator to object, claiming—without evidence—that Wyden’s bill could hinder law enforcement efforts. He argued it might restrict access to information such as the whereabouts of convicted sexual predators.
His objection effectively halted the measure, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to data broker practices.
The Data Broker Problem
Data brokers are part of a multibillion-dollar global industry that profits from collecting and selling personal details, including financial information and precise location data from phones and connected devices.
This data can be sold to private companies, advertisers, and even governments, often without requiring a warrant. The risks extend beyond privacy concerns—data broker databases have been linked to doxing incidents and violent crimes.
For example, in Minnesota, a shooter allegedly used broker-sold data to obtain the addresses of two state lawmakers, tragically killing one of them.
Cruz Blocks Second Privacy Bill As Well
Following the first objection, Cruz also blocked another Wyden bill, S.2851, which sought to expand protections beyond federal officials to include state lawmakers, staff, and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
This move further intensified criticism of Cruz, with privacy advocates arguing that Americans deserve the same protections currently reserved for Washington insiders.
Why This Matters For Americans
The decision underscores a growing tension in Congress over who deserves digital privacy. While lawmakers enjoy protections from doxing and threats, ordinary Americans remain exposed to the dangers of personal data being sold and weaponized.
Wyden and privacy advocates argue that until everyone is protected, no one is truly safe.
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