
New federal legislation would give businesses some relief from a recent deluge of litigation targeting commonplace website tracking tools like cookies and tracking pixels. The Halt Abusive Internet Lawsuits Act, introduced by Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) in September, would bar lawsuits brought under federal and state wiretapping and related surveillance laws for the collection, processing, or disclosure of information when it is used for a commercial purpose. If passed, the legislation would significantly reduce exposure for businesses small and large who have faced expensive litigation for utilizing everyday website tools. Here’s what you need to know about the bill and its chances of becoming law – and some steps you can take while we wait to see what happens.