Sen. Rick Scott Introduces PRIME Act to Promote Transparency by Online Retailers

July 23, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott introduced the Promoting Responsibility In Markets and E-Retailers (PRIME) Act of 2019 to require online retailers to list the country of origin for each product they sell. Following recent privacy concerns surrounding a popular Russia-based app, the bill also requires digital apps to disclose their country of origin.

Senator Rick Scott said, “We have to get serious about where our money is going. There are nations around the world, like China, that are trying to compete with America. By buying products made by our adversaries, we are sending them money without a second thought and supporting their efforts to compete with us on the global stage. Consumers should know where the products they buy online are made and where the apps they download to their phones are developed. I introduced the PRIME Act to create more transparency in the online retail space so consumers can make informed choices for themselves and their families.”

The PRIME Act of 2019:

  1. Creates country of origin requirements for online retailers.
    • Online retailers must list the country of origin of each product.
  2. Requires sellers of internet applications to disclose the country of origin.
    • App sellers would have to disclose the countries in which the developer, publisher and parent corporation of the app are located.
  3. Gives enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission.

###