The 'You Own the Data Act' (YODA) is a proposed law that aims to give individuals more control over their personal data. It establishes that people own the data they create and requires companies to get clear permission before collecting or sharing this information. The bill also allows individuals to access, correct, or delete their data and limits how much data companies can collect. Additionally, it prohibits the use of tracking cookies without user consent and sets penalties for companies that violate these rules.
Supporters of YODA praise the bill for strengthening consumer privacy rights and giving individuals greater control over their personal information. They believe it will increase transparency in how companies handle data and help prevent misuse. The bill's emphasis on user consent and data ownership is seen as a significant step toward protecting privacy in the digital age.
Critics of YODA argue that the bill could impose heavy compliance burdens on businesses, especially smaller ones, due to the stringent requirements for data handling and user consent. They also express concerns that the restrictions on data collection and sharing might hinder innovation and the development of personalized services. Additionally, some worry that the enforcement mechanisms and penalties could lead to increased litigation and operational challenges for companies.
Upon analysis, there appears to be a low risk of conflicts of interest between the sponsor's donors and the bill's subject matter. The sponsor, Michael Cloud, has received significant donations from Health Professionals and Retired individuals, with no direct industry overlaps detected between these sectors and the bill's subject matter. The total donations from these sectors amount to $157,500,000. Furthermore, while there has been lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, none of the lobbying organizations are directly linked to the sponsor's top donor industries. The highest lobbying amount comes from BAE, KIM & LEE, LLC with $370,000, but again, there is no clear connection to the sponsor's donors. It is important for voters to be aware of these financial influences, but based on the available data, there is no clear evidence of a conflict of interest.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAE, KIM & LEE, LLC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $370,000 |
| MBK PARTNERS | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $150,000 |
| B. BRAUN MEDICAL INC. | POLSINELLI PC | $70,000 |
| VECTOR | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $40,000 |
| SOLUTION PHILIPPINES, LLC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION | $35,000 |
| D-WAVE GOVERNMENT, INC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RSVP PROGRAM DIRECTORS | THE SUSQUEHANNA GROUP | $5,000 |
| STR8 CORPORATION | BRODY GROUP L.L.C. PUBLIC AFFAIRS | undisclosed |
| WEST GULF MARITIME ASSOCIATION | WEST GULF MARITIME ASSOCIATION | undisclosed |
| CENTRAL ADMIXTURE PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. | POLSINELLI PC | undisclosed |
| CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | undisclosed |
| BLUE DIAMOND ATOMICS | NATURAL STATE CONSULTING AND STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| POPLICUS INCORPORATED DBA GOVINI | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | undisclosed |
| STRYDENT AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES | POTOMAC STRATEGIC CONSULTING LLC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Michael Cloud, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
