Location Privacy Protection Act of 2015

To address voluntary location tracking of electronic communications devices, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Location Privacy Protection Act of 2015 2. Definition In this Act, the term geolocation information 3. Voluntary location tracking of electronic communications devices (a) In general Chapter 121 2713. Voluntary location tracking of electronic communications devices (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term covered entity (2) the term consent (A) informs the individual that his or her geolocation information will be collected by the covered entity; (B) identifies the categories of covered entities to which the geolocation information may be disclosed by the covered entity; and (C) provides the individual a hyperlink or comparably easily accessible means to access the information specified in subsection (b)(4); (3) the term electronic communications device (A) enables access to, or use of, an electronic communications system, electronic communication service, remote computing service, or geolocation information service; and (B) is commonly carried by or on the person of an individual or commonly travels with the individual, including in or as part of a vehicle the individual drives; (4) the term geolocation information (A) means any information that— (i) is not the contents of a communication; (ii) is in whole or in part generated by or derived from the operation or use of an electronic communications device; and (iii) is sufficient to identify the street name and name of the city or town in which the device is located; and (B) does not include the Internet protocol address or the home, business, or billing address of the individual, or any component parts of such addresses; and (5) the term geolocation information service (b) Collection or disclosure of geolocation information to or by nongovernmental entities (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), a covered entity may not knowingly collect or disclose to another covered entity the geolocation information from an electronic communications device without the consent of the individual that is using the electronic communications device. (2) Exceptions A covered entity may knowingly collect or disclose to another covered entity the geolocation information from an electronic communication device without consent if the collection or disclosure is— (A) to allow a parent or legal guardian to locate an unemancipated minor child or ward; (B) to allow a court-appointed guardian to locate a legally incapacitated person; (C) for the provision of fire, medical, public safety, or other emergency services; (D) pursuant to a court order in a civil proceeding upon a showing of compelling need for the information that cannot be accommodated by any other means, if the individual is— (i) given reasonable notice by the person seeking the disclosure of the court proceeding relevant to the issuance of the court order; and (ii) afforded the opportunity to appear and contest the claim of the person seeking the disclosure; (E) requested by a law enforcement agency of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State pursuant to any lawful authority or activity, including chapter 119, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, or any other provision of Federal or State law, if the covered entity uses the geolocation information collected in response to the request solely for law enforcement purposes; (F) necessary for network operation by a person that is subject to section 222 or 631 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222 and 551), if the person uses the information solely for purposes of network operation; (G) for the sole purpose of transmitting the information to a person and in a circumstance described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), or (F); (H) necessary to protect the property of the covered entity or to protect the covered entity’s customers or other covered entities from fraudulent, abusive or unlawful conduct; or (I) conducted by any covered entity that is not the covered entity that initially collected the information from the electronic communications device. In granting an order described in subparagraph (D), the court shall impose appropriate safeguards against unauthorized disclosure. (3) Anti-stalking protections Except for an instance in which geolocation information is being collected under the exception described in paragraph (2)(E), a covered entity that initially collects geolocation information from an electronic communications device in a manner that the covered entity has reason to believe is imperceptible to the individual using the electronic communications device shall, in addition to obtaining consent under paragraph (1), provide clear, prominent, and accurate notice to the individual, not earlier than 24 hours and not later than 7 days after the initial collection, informing the individual that his or her geolocation information is being collected and providing him or her the information specified in paragraph (4). (4) Publication of information A covered entity that collects the geolocation information of more than 1,000 electronic communications devices in a year shall maintain a publicly accessible Internet website that includes— (A) the nature of the geolocation information that the covered entity collects from electronic communications devices; (B) the purposes for which the covered entity collects, uses, and discloses the information; (C) the specific covered entities to which the covered entity discloses geolocation information; and (D) how an individual may electronically revoke consent for the collection and disclosure of geolocation information. (c) Rulemaking (1) In general The Attorney General shall, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, issue regulations to implement the requirements of this section. All regulations promulgated under this section shall be issued in accordance with section 553 of title 5. (2) Flexible rulemaking In promulgating regulations under this section, the Attorney General shall— (A) avoid any regulatory requirement that would create redundant notifications or requests for consent, including in instances in which an individual has previously consented to the collection of his or her geolocation information or its disclosure to a particular category of individuals or entities; and (B) ensure that such regulations address the specific operational requirements of shared and legacy electronic communications devices. (d) Civil remedies (1) Action by attorney general of the united states If the Attorney General of the United States has reasonable cause to believe that an individual or entity is violating this section or its implementing regulations, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court. (2) Right of action Any individual aggrieved by any action of an individual or entity in violation of this section or its implementing regulations may bring a civil action in an appropriate United States district court. (3) Rights of attorney general (A) Notice (i) In general Except as provided in clause (iii), an aggrieved person bringing a civil action under paragraph (2) shall notify the Attorney General in writing that the person intends to bring the action before initiating that action. (ii) Contents A notification provided under clause (i) with respect to a civil action shall include a copy of the complaint to be filed to initiate the civil action. (iii) Exception If it is not feasible for the person to provide the notification required by clause (i) before initiating a civil action under paragraph (2), the person shall notify the Attorney General immediately upon instituting the civil action. (B) Intervention The Attorney General may— (i) intervene in any civil action brought by an aggrieved person under paragraph (2); and (ii) upon intervening— (I) be heard on all matters arising in the civil action; and (II) file petitions for appeal of a decision in the civil action. (C) Preemptive action If the Attorney General brings a civil action under paragraph (1), a person may not, during the pendency of such action, bring a civil action under paragraph (2) against any defendant named in the complaint of the Attorney General for any violation with respect to which the Attorney General instituted such action. (4) Relief (A) In general In a civil action brought under this subsection, the court may award— (i) damages of not more than $5,000 per violation per day while such a violation exists, with a maximum of $500,000 per violation; (ii) punitive damages in an additional amount of not more than $5,000 per violation per day while such violation exists, with a maximum of an additional $500,000 per violation; (iii) reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and (iv) such other preliminary or equitable relief as the court determines to be appropriate. (B) Penalty limits Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total amount of civil penalties that may be imposed with respect to a covered entity that violates this section or its implementing regulations shall not exceed, for all violations resulting from the same or related acts or omissions, $1,000,000, unless the conduct is found to be willful or intentional. If a court determines that a violation was willful or intentional and imposes an additional penalty, the court may impose an additional penalty in accordance with subparagraph (A) in an amount that does not exceed $1,000,000. (5) Period of limitations (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a civil action may not be brought under this subsection unless the civil action is filed not later than 2 years after the later of— (i) the date of the act complained of; or (ii) the date of discovery of the act complained of. (B) Limitation In no instance may a civil action be brought under this subsection after the date that is 10 years after the date of the act complained of. . (e) Effects on other law (1) In general This section shall supersede a provision of the law of a State or political subdivision of a State that requires or allows collection or disclosure of geolocation information prohibited by this section. (2) State consumer protection laws Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt the law of a State that grants greater consumer protections relating to the collection, receipt, recording, obtaining, or disclosure of geolocation information from electronic communications devices. (3) Rights and remedies Nothing in this section shall be construed to effect the rights and remedies of any individual under any other State or Federal law. (4) Common carriers and cable services This section shall not apply to the activities of an individual or entity to the extent the activities are subject to section 222 or 631 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222 and 551). . (b) Technical and conforming amendments Chapter 121 (1) in the table of sections, by adding at the end the following: 2713. Voluntary location tracking of electronic communications devices. ; and (2) in section 2702(c), by striking A provider Except as provided under section 2713, a provider (c) Effective date; applicability (1) In general The amendments made by this section— (A) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) except as provided in paragraph (2), shall apply on and after the date that is 180 days after the issuance of regulations under section 2713(c) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). (2) Regulations Section 2713(c) of title 18, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply on the date of enactment of this Act. 4. Geolocation information used in interstate domestic violence or stalking (a) In general Chapter 110A (1) by redesignating section 2266 as section 2267; (2) by inserting after section 2265 the following: 2266. Geolocation information used in interstate domestic violence or stalking (a) Offenses; unauthorized disclosure of geolocation information in aid of interstate domestic violence or stalking A covered entity that— (1) knowingly and willfully discloses geolocation information about an individual to another individual; (2) knew that a violation of section 2261, 2261A, or 2262 would result from the disclosure; and (3) intends to aid in a violation of section 2261, 2261A, or 2262 as a result of the disclosure, shall be punished as provided in subsection (b). (b) Penalties A covered entity that violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. ; and (3) in section 2267, as so redesignated, by adding at the end the following: (11) Covered entity; geolocation information The terms covered entity geolocation information . (b) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Title 10 Section 1561a(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking section 2266(5) section 2267(5) (2) Title 18 Title 18, United States Code, is amended— (A) in section 113(b)(3), by striking section 2266 section 2267 (B) in section 1992(d)(14), by striking section 2266 section 2267 (C) in chapter 110A— (i) in the table of sections, by striking the item relating to section 2266 and inserting the following: “2266. Geolocation information used in interstate domestic violence or stalking. “2267. Definitions.”; and (ii) in section 2261(b)(6), by striking section 2266 of title 18, United States Code, section 2267 (3) Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 Section 204(a)(7) of Public Law 90–284 25 U.S.C. 1304 et seq. Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 section 2266 section 2267 (4) Omnibus crime control and safe streets act of 1968 Section 2011(c) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 3796gg–5(c) section 2266 section 2267 5. Fraudulent collection of geolocation information (a) In general Section 1039(h) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) includes any geolocation information service. ; (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Geolocation information service The term geolocation information service . (b) Conforming amendments (1) In general Section 1039 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (A) in the section heading, by inserting or geolocation phone (B) in subsection (a)— (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or geolocation phone (ii) in paragraph (4), by inserting or geolocation phone (C) in subsection (b)— (i) in the subsection heading, by inserting or Geolocation Phone (ii) in paragraph (1), by inserting or geolocation phone (iii) in paragraph (2), by inserting or geolocation phone (D) in subsection (c)— (i) in the subsection heading, by inserting or Geolocation Phone (ii) in paragraph (1), by inserting or geolocation phone (iii) in paragraph (2), by inserting or geolocation phone (E) in subsection (h)(1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting or geolocation phone (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or geolocation phone (2) Table of sections The table of sections for chapter 47 1039. Fraud and related activity in connection with obtaining confidential phone or geolocation records information of a covered entity. (c) Sentencing guidelines (1) Review and amendment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States Sentencing Commission, pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this subsection, shall review and, if appropriate, amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under section 1039 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this section. (2) Authorization The United States Sentencing Commission may amend the Federal sentencing guidelines in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 21(a) of the Sentencing Act of 1987 ( 28 U.S.C. 994 6. Prohibiting development and distribution of stalking apps (a) In general Section 2512 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the section heading, by striking electronic communication electronic communications or geolocation information (2) by inserting or geolocation information or electronic communications (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 119 2512. Manufacture, distribution, possession, and advertising of wire, oral, or electronic communications or geolocation information intercepting devices prohibited. 7. Forfeiture of proceeds of stalking apps (a) In general Section 2513 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the section heading, by striking electronic communication electronic communications or geolocation information (2) by inserting (a) In General Any electronic (3) in the first sentence, by inserting , and any proceeds from the use or sale of such a device, section 2512 of this chapter (4) by adding at the end the following: (b) Anti-Stalking fund (1) Fund There is established in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the Anti-Stalking Fund Fund (2) Crediting of amounts Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, or any other law regarding the crediting of money received for the Government, there shall be deposited in the Fund an amount equal to the value of any device and all proceeds forfeited to the United States under this section, which shall remain available until expended. (3) Use of fund The Attorney General may, without further appropriation, use amounts in the Fund to— (A) develop and provide training to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and victim service personnel throughout the United States regarding relevant Federal, State, territorial, or local law and promising practices, procedures, and policies relating to investigating and prosecuting stalking crimes; and (B) support help line and emergency response efforts for stalking crimes. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 119 2513. Confiscation of wire, oral, or electronic communications or geolocation information intercepting devices. 8. Information gathering on the use of geolocation data in violence against women (a) National crime victimization survey As soon as practicable and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each National Crime Victimization Survey, the Attorney General shall include questions examining the role that various new technologies that use geolocation information may have in the facilitation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including the use of— (1) global positioning system technology; (2) smartphone mobile applications; (3) in-car navigation devices; and (4) geo-tagging technology. (b) National intimate partner and sexual violence survey As soon as practicable and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall include questions relating to the use of geolocation information as described in subsection (a). (c) Consultation The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women and the Director of the National Institute of Justice, shall consult with representatives from the Federal agencies, offices of State attorneys general, national victim advocacy organizations, and the industries related to the technologies described in subsection (a) to assist in the coordination and collection of data described in subsection (a). 9. Geolocation crime information and reporting (a) Implementation The Attorney General shall direct the Internet Crime Complaint Center to provide education and awareness information to the public and law enforcement and register complaints regarding the abuse of geolocation information to commit domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other related crimes. (b) Consultations In determining what information will be provided to the public and collected in complaints under subsection (a), the Attorney General shall consult with nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated expertise relating to the abuse of the Internet or geolocation information to commit stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or other related crimes. (c) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report that discusses and summarizes the information collected in complaints filed under subsection (a). 10. National geolocation curriculum development (a) In general The Attorney General, through the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, may make grants to entities to develop and provide training to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and victim service personnel throughout the United States regarding relevant Federal, State, territorial, or local law and promising practices, procedures, and policies relating to investigating and prosecuting the misuse of geolocation information in the commission of stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and other crimes. (b) Application An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.

Summary: Location Privacy Protection Act of 2015 This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit a covered entity (nongovernmental individual or entity) from knowingly collecting or disclosing to another covered entity geolocation information from an electronic communications device without the consent of the individual using the device. It specifies exceptions, including for collection or disclosure: (1) for the provision of emergency services, or (2) pursuant to a court order or a request by a law enforcement agency. It requires a covered entity that initially collects geolocation information from such a device in a manner that it has reason to believe is imperceptible to the individual using the device, in addition to obtaining consent, to provide clear, prominent, and accurate notice to the individual that such information is being collected. It requires a covered entity that collects the geolocation information of more than 1,000 electronic communications devices in a year to maintain a website that includes: (1) the nature of the information collected; (2) the purposes for which the covered entity collects, uses, and discloses the information; (3) the entities to which the collecting entity discloses geolocation information; and (4) how an individual may electronically revoke consent for the collection and disclosure of such information. The bill authorizes civil actions for violations. The bill prohibits: (1) the unauthorized disclosure of geolocation information in aid of interstate domestic violence or stalking; (2) the fraudulent collection of information obtained by a geolocation information service; and (3) the manufacture, distribution, possession, and advertising of geolocation information intercepting devices. It provides for the forfeiture of such devices. It establishes in the Treasury an Anti-Stalking Fund. DOJ must include as part of each National Crime Victimization Survey, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must include as part of each National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, questions examining the role that new technologies using geolocation information may have in the facilitation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill requires DOJ to direct the Internet Crime Complaint Center to provide education and awareness information and register complaints regarding the abuse of geolocation information to commit domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other related crimes. It authorizes the Office on Violence Against Women to make grants to develop and provide training relating to investigating and prosecuting the misuse of geolocation information.