Target will testify on data breach before US House committee

Both chambers of Congress are preparing to hold hearings next month about the theft of sensitive consumer data from Target Corp.

Company representatives and law enforcement officials will testify before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee the first week of February. The committee also released a consumer data alert on Wednesday, with advice for people worried that their personal information, or credit, debit, or banking account information may have been compromised.

At least three other Senate committees are interested in the theft of consumer information. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes both of Minnesota's senators, plans hearings next month.

It's not clear whether the Republican-controlled House or the Democratic-controlled Senate will draft any legislation in response to the massive theft of personal data.

Past congressional efforts to mandate electronic security improvements in the private sector have failed.

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