Res 0313-2022

Whereas, In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization reproductive rights are under attack in the United States; and Whereas, Many states are seeking to criminalize women seeking abortions; and Whereas, New York State and City law protects access to reproductive care for all of its residents; and Whereas, The internet is an essential tool for individuals seeking reproductive healthcare, whether it is using a search engine to find a practitioner or using an online system to make an appointment with a healthcare provider; and Whereas, An investigation by The Wall Street Journal found, and the New York State Attorney General later confirmed, that certain websites including Facebook are collecting personal reproductive health data without the user's knowledge or approval, and Whereas, Some of the websites that collect personal healthcare data include password protected hospital appointment portals; and Whereas, This personal reproductive health information may be shared with third parties without the user's consent or approval; and Whereas, This personal health data is being made available to anti-abortion groups; and Whereas, Anti-abortion groups are using this personal reproductive health data to deliver targeted information aimed at deterring individuals from obtaining abortion; and Whereas, Anti-abortion groups have frequently spread false and misleading information about abortion, contraception and other reproductive health topics to deter women from obtaining abortions; and Whereas, Personal reproductive health information should remain personal between a patient and her doctor; and Whereas, H.R. 8152 would prevent the collection of personal health data except under certain specific circumstances; and Whereas, H.R. 8152 would require users to give their affirmative consent for their data to be shared with a third party and allow them to withdraw the consent once given; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United State Congress to pass, and the President to sign, H.R. 8152, the "American Data Privacy and Protection Act," which would limit the personally identifiable data that companies can collect, and give consumers expanded control over their own data. LS #9745 August 25, 2022 EHC