Congressman Michael Cloud reintroduced the You Own the Data Act (YODA), reaffirming personal ownership of user data, prohibiting companies from collecting and selling private data without consent, and giving Americans tools to protect their privacy. YODA prohibits companies from requiring users to surrender their data as a condition of service, limits data collection to what is reasonably necessary to provide the requested service, and bans tracking cookies without explicit user authorization.
Prohibit companies from collecting, requiring surrender of, or selling private user data without consent, and limit data collection to what is reasonably necessary to provide the requested service.
Occurrences
Evidence
GovInfo lists H.R. 8652 (IH) as introduced on May 4, 2026 with the action: "Mr. Cloud introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce." The bill title and text match the promise language: prohibiting entities from requiring transfer or monetization of private data, requiring written consent for third-party contact information, and limiting data collection/retention to what is reasonably necessary.
Cloud's office said on May 4, 2026 that he "reintroduced the You Own the Data Act (YODA)," and that YODA "prohibits companies from requiring users to surrender their data as a condition of service" and "limits data collection to what is reasonably necessary to provide the requested service."
Assessments
Cloud materially advanced promise-aligned legislation by introducing/reintroducing H.R. 8652, the You Own the Data Act, on May 4, 2026. The bill text matches the promise by restricting data surrender as a condition of service and limiting collection to what is reasonably necessary. However, available status information shows the bill was only introduced and referred to committee, with no enactment or implemented federal prohibition. Because this is a serious legislative attempt but not delivery of the promised policy outcome, it should be scored as not fulfilled with an effort badge.