Lummis Works to Protect Against Identity Theft and Cybercrime

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Senator Krysten Sinema (D-AZ) in introducing the Improving Digital Identity Act of 2022. The bipartisan bill would safeguard the privacy and assets of people across Wyoming from cyber criminals. Lummis said technology has the potential to dramatically improve the security and privacy of identity credentials, and enable easier access to the financial system, and it doesn’t make sense that Wyoming citizens have to constantly overshare sensitive identity information with government agencies and businesses, which are honeypots all too often targeted by hackers and identity thieves.

This legislation creates a public-private task force on digital identity that will improve cybersecurity and encourage states to give people the ability to conveniently access critical services online. The bill also provides states and tribes with digital identity innovation grants for projects such as developing voluntary digital driver’s licenses, and requires federal agencies to enhance the security, accessibility, and privacy of their systems.

With Social Security Numbers and other personal information now widely available on the dark web, it is imperative that states have the option to adopt innovative digital identity tools to combat identity theft, reduce fraud, and increase confidence in online transactions.