Technology is changing fast, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, and much of that change is driven by personal data. Every time you go online, you leave behind a trail of information. This can include what you buy, what you search for, where you go, and even health-related data, such as the number of steps your phone tracks in a day. This information is collected by apps, websites, and companies worldwide. While this data can be useful, it shouldn’t come at the cost of your privacy.
Most of us see this every day. You search for something online, and suddenly ads for it start appearing on social media and in your search engine. Your inbox fills with spam emails and text messages. I hear from Nebraskans all the time who are worried about how their personal information is being collected and used. Those concerns are understandable, and frankly, they’re shared by many families across our state.
January 28 marks Data Privacy Day, an opportunity to stop and think about how much of our personal information is floating around online and what we can do to protect it. While we may not be able to control everything, there are steps we can take to limit how much of our information can be found publicly.
There is also more that the government can do to make sure Nebraskans and Americans aren’t taken advantage of. For years, Congress has been working to pass a comprehensive federal data privacy law that will establish guardrails to ensure all organizations and companies protect personal information online. As a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I am optimistic that we can make progress toward this goal in 2026.
The good news is that there are simple things you can do today to better protect yourself. Take a few minutes to check the privacy settings on the apps on your phone and on your social media accounts. You can limit tracking, request that companies delete data they’ve already collected, and control who can see your posts and personal information. Small changes like these can go a long way in keeping your information out of the wrong hands.
I’m also working in Congress to make sure our laws keep up with today’s technology. Previously, I introduced the Promoting Digital Privacy Technologies Act to encourage new tools that allow data to be used without exposing personal details. These privacy-enhancing technologies help protect people while still allowing important research and innovation to continue in areas such as agriculture, transportation, and public health.
In addition, I introduced the DETOUR Act to protect consumers from misleading online design tricks, often called “dark patterns,” that make it hard to opt out of data collection or understand what you’re agreeing to. This bill was included in the SAFE DATA Act, which would set a clear, nationwide standard for data privacy and give Americans more control over their personal information. Transparency and accountability matter, and people deserve to know how their data is being used.
Protecting your privacy is something my office takes seriously every day. My team helps Nebraskans work through issues with federal agencies, whether it’s Social Security, a passport renewal, a VA claim, or an IRS issue. When you reach out to us, protecting your personal information is always paramount. If you ever need help with a federal agency, you can contact my office at www.fischer.senate.gov.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.