Congress Proposes Ban on Selling Health Data to AI

A bipartisan legislative effort is underway in the United States Congress to prohibit artificial intelligence companies from selling sensitive user data, specifically health and location information, to data brokers. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) are preparing to introduce an updated version of the Health and Location […] bill. This proposed legislation seeks to safeguard personal information that individuals share with AI applications, such as chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, from being commodified and resold.

The core of the proposal targets the practice of data brokers acquiring and distributing highly personal information without explicit consent. The bill intends to close loopholes that currently allow companies to monetize data gleaned from user interactions, even when that data pertains to health conditions or precise geographical movements. The initiative reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the privacy implications of AI technologies and the vast amounts of personal data they collect and process.

While specific details of the forthcoming bill were not fully disclosed, its proponents emphasize the need for robust protections against the misuse of sensitive personal data. The move signals a significant legislative push to regulate the data practices of AI developers and service providers, aiming to align them with broader privacy principles. The introduction of this bill is anticipated in the coming weeks, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing debate surrounding AI and data privacy in the United States.