House of Representatives a measure targeting the ability of data brokers to sell Americans’ personal information to “hostile” countries such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. The Protecting Americans’ Information from Foreign Enemies Act passed unanimously by a vote of 414-0.
The Implemented alongside a measure that could force the ban or sale of TikTok, it would prohibit data brokers from selling Americans’ “sensitive” data to people or entities in “hostile” countries. Like not too long ago President Joe Biden’s bill targeting data brokers covers geolocation, financial, health and biometric data, as well as other personal information such as text logs and phone call history.
If passed — the bill would need Senate approval before landing on Biden’s desk — it would represent a relatively significant check. unregulated information brokerage industry. U.S. officials have previously warned that China and other geopolitical rivals of the United States already have access to vast troves of Americans’ data from brokers, and privacy advocates have long urged lawmakers to regulate the multibillion-dollar industry.
The bill is the second piece of bipartisan legislation to come out of the House Energy and Commerce this month. The committee previously introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversaries Controlled Applications Act, which would have required TikTok to split from parent company ByteDance or face a US ban. In , Reps. Frank Pallone and Cathy McMorris Rodgers said the latest bill “builds on” the work they’ve done to pass a measure targeting TikTok. “Today’s overwhelming vote sends a clear message that we will not allow our adversaries to compromise America’s national security and individual privacy by acquiring sensitive personally identifiable information from data brokers.”
