The "Protecting Americans from Foreign Controlled Applications" is a part of the broader efforts to address national security concerns related to foreign-owned apps, especially those that collect significant amounts of personal data. Here's how the president has approached the issue:
- Executive Orders and Legislation:
- - In 2020, President Trump signed an executive order aiming to ban Chinese-owned apps like TikTok and WeChat, citing national security concerns over the potential for foreign governments to access sensitive data from American users.
- - The Biden administration has taken a more cautious, comprehensive approach, emphasizing a review of national security risks posed by foreign-controlled apps. The focus is on evaluating data security and privacy risks posed by apps tied to adversarial foreign governments.
- Reviews by CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States):
- - The Biden administration has relied heavily on CFIUS, which reviews transactions that might affect U.S. national security. In the context of foreign-controlled apps, CFIUS has looked into acquisitions of American companies by foreign entities, particularly in the technology sector. This could include assessing the risk that certain foreign entities could have access to Americans’ personal data.
- Bipartisan Congressional Support:
- - Both parties in Congress have supported legislation that addresses the national security risks posed by foreign-controlled apps, particularly those from China. This has resulted in calls for new laws that would give the president more tools to prevent the spread of apps that could be used for espionage or surveillance.
- Increased Scrutiny on Popular Foreign Apps:
- - TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been a key target of scrutiny. The administration has considered actions ranging from forcing the app to sell its U.S. operations to imposing bans or additional regulations.
- Focus on Data Privacy and Security:
- - The administration has emphasized protecting American data from foreign access by increasing scrutiny on apps that collect massive amounts of personal data, especially when they have ties to foreign governments. The Biden administration has signaled an interest in enhancing data privacy laws to prevent foreign governments from exploiting American data.
- These actions align with ongoing concerns about cybersecurity, digital privacy, and national security in the face of growing technological influence from foreign governments. The goal is to strike a balance between protecting national interests and allowing the free flow of information and technology.
