HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-4607

HR 4607

ByRepresentatives Kloba and Slatter

WHEREAS, On the 28th of January, Washingtonians join the nation and over 50 countries in commemorating a day to promote awareness of data privacy and data protection practices; and

WHEREAS, Today, nearly everything in our modern world is accessed online; and

WHEREAS, Not only do we use the internet to inform and entertain, we rely on the internet to access education, the marketplace, government services, our jobs, and telemedicine; and

WHEREAS, Preserved in the Washington State Constitution in Article I section 7, privacy is stated to be a foundational right of individuals; and

WHEREAS, Many people do not understand the ways in which their private activities on their computers, phones, and connected devices generate data that is being used and stored digitally, with or without their knowledge; and

WHEREAS, Vast amounts of data about consumers are harvested daily around the globe, and with the collection and processing of this data comes great responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Public agencies in Washington state are accountable for the responsible care and protection of private personal information that they collect and process; and implementing principles such as lawful use, purpose limitation and data minimization to best protect the privacy of Washingtonians; and

WHEREAS, Washington, along with many other states have passed, and continue to work on private sector protections for consumers personal information; and

WHEREAS, There remains a need for meaningful protections in law that can be enforced; and

WHEREAS, The protection of personal data is a responsibility shared by individuals, governments, industry, and civil society; and

WHEREAS, Governor Jay Inslee has proclaimed January 28th as Data Privacy Day in Washington state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that the digital privacy of the people of Washington needs to be preserved and protected; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives join in commemorating a day to promote data privacy that will encourage Washingtonians to be aware of and take steps to protect their privacy interests and personal information.