The State of Washington, under the leadership of Attorney General Nick Brown, has reached a critical agreement with Fidelity Information Services, the vendor administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Washington. The agreement reinforces protections for the private, personal data of over one million residents receiving food assistance benefits.

AG Brown’s office sued Fidelity on July 24, 2025, in Thurston County Superior Court. The lawsuit sought to prevent the company from disclosing confidential SNAP recipients’ information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—which had sought access to the data for immigration enforcement initiatives under the Trump administration. Fidelity had initially indicated to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that it intended to comply with USDA’s demands. Though the company later pledged not to share the data without consent, it failed to provide formal confirmation, spurring the lawsuit. Washington law, as well as the contract between Fidelity and DSHS, require express written consent before any such disclosure occurs. 

Following an investigation by DSHS,​ it was confirmed that Fidelity did not disclose any confidential information to USDA. The new agreement reaffirms that Fidelity will continue to abide by its contractual obligations and restrict disclosure of SNAP recipients’ personal data. DSHS and Fidelity have now both confirmed that no confidential information has been, nor will be, disclosed. 

This action is one of several recent steps taken by AG Brown to protect SNAP recipients’ privacy and benefits. In October 2025, Washington joined a multistate lawsuit that successfully obtained a preliminary injunction blocking USDA’s data demands. AG Brown’s office has also filed a motion to enforce that injunction, and separately has taken legal action to protect benefits for lawful permanent residents and challenge USDA’s unlawful cuts to the program during the federal government shutdown. 

For residents of Longview, Kelso, and the broader Cowlitz County area, this agreement offers meaningful assurance that their private information—collected in a moment of need—remains protected from federal overreach and political weaponization. In an age where state and federal powers increasingly intersect, particularly under aggressive immigration enforcement contexts, maintaining the integrity and security of benefit recipients’ data is both a constitutional and humanitarian imperative.

This outcome reflects a critical victory for privacy rights, community trust, and the rule of law. As Washington continues to confront federal intrusions into social welfare systems, AG Brown’s office has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to defending marginalized residents and upholding legal protections at the state level.

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