WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced legislation that will promote increased law enforcement cooperation and boost transatlantic relations. The bipartisan Judicial Redress Act of 2015 extends core benefits of the Privacy Act of 1974 to citizens of major U.S. allies for information shared for law enforcement purposes – similar to the benefits already afforded to U.S. citizens overseas.

Under current law, only U.S. citizens can seek redress in U.S. courts when their privacy rights are violated. In contrast, many European allies already provide that right to U.S. citizens in their courts of law. This legislation simply establishes reciprocity with our closest friends, and ensures that they continue to share information crucial to our law enforcement cooperation. This bill will enhance transatlantic relations and promote a mutually beneficial environment for U.S. and European businesses.

“Safeguarding our national security is the number one priority,” said Murphy. “Our closest allies have raised legitimate concerns about the rights and protections of their own citizens in the United States for privacy violations. In support of the critical, collaborative relationships, it is in the United States’ best interest to grant our closest friends abroad limited privacy protections similar to those they provide to us. As we face unprecedented challenges around the world today, the Judicial Redress Act will help to cement the vital international relationships we rely on every day to keep us safe and promote our mutual prosperity.”

Hatch said, "How data is accessed and used both at home and abroad is one of the most pressing issues confronting us today. In today’s global economy, it is vital that we maintain strong relationships with our international partners, and the Judicial Redress Act will help us accomplish that."

The Judicial Redress Act extends core benefits of the Privacy Act to select U.S. allies with regard to information shared with the U.S. for law enforcement purposes, including judicial redress for denials of access to and correction of records and remedies for intentional or willful disclosure of information.

The Judicial Redress Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.) and is supported by The White House, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. federal law enforcement agencies. The legislation has been endorsed by numerous organizations and associations, including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Application Developers Alliance, BSA, The Software Alliance Computer & Communications Industry Association, Information Technology Industry Council, Internet Association, Software & Information Industry Association, the Trans Atlantic Business Council, IBM, Facebook, Foursquare, Google, Intuit, Microsoft, and Yahoo.