WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has passed a bill that intends to improve cyber security by encouraging companies and the government to share information about hacking threats.
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act passed by a 74-21 vote Tuesday despite concerns about privacy and transparency from some senators and technology companies, such as Apple and Yelp.
The Senate rejected amendments, including one addressing concerns that companies could give the government personal information about their customers. Another failed amendment would have eliminated part of the bill that would keep secret information about which companies participate and what they share with the government.
Companies would receive legal protections from antitrust and consumer privacy liabilities for participating in the voluntary program.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.