WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced the US SAFE WEB Extension Act to extend the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006 for an additional seven years and enable the Federal Trade Commission to protect Americans from fraud, spam, and deception online.  

“The Internet knows no borders, and too often, the threats we face online don’t come from here in the United States,” said Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. “We need the tools to address online threats across international boundaries. That’s why Congress developed the SAFE WEB Act in 2006. It enables the Federal Trade Commission to step in and address international threats online and protect Americans’ privacy and sensitive or financial information. This bill will extend the SAFE WEB Act for an additional seven years to continue fighting cyberthreats around the world.” 

“In 2019, those seeking to deceive and commit fraud often use international borders as a shield against law enforcement. We should be able to address this malicious activity that targets American families by working with our international law enforcement partners,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “This important bipartisan measure will ensure that the Federal Trade Commission has the resources and authority to cooperate with foreign law enforcement agencies and tackle fraud and deception.” 

NOTE: The Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006 (U.S. SAFE WEB Act) gives the FTC critical powers to enhance cross-border cooperation on consumer protection investigations and fraud actions, as well as to support cross-border data transfer mechanisms like the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield. 

Congress enacted the U.S. SAFE WEB Act in 2006 and reauthorized it in 2012 for the period through September 2020. 

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