US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB57

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act This bill authorizes sanctions and other prohibitions relating to software that engages in user data theft on behalf of certain foreign countries or entities. The President may regulate or prohibit transactions using software that engages in the theft or unauthorized transmission of user data and provides access to such data to (1) a communist country, (2) the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), (3) a foreign adversary, or (4) a state sponsor of terrorism. The President may also impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on developers and owners of software that makes unauthorized transmissions of user data to servers located in China that are accessible by China's government or the CCP. The Department of State shall report to Congress a determination regarding whether WeChat or TikTok fall within certain regulations and prohibitions, including those provided under this bill. (WeChat and TikTok are software programs developed by China-based companies.)

Impact

If enacted, HB57 would significantly influence existing laws surrounding international economic powers by amending the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. It provides the President with the authority to block transactions and impose sanctions on applications that are deemed to engage in data theft for foreign adversaries. This would effectively aim to safeguard personal data from foreign exploitation and strengthen the United States' regulatory framework for digital privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.

Summary

House Bill 57, known as the 'Protecting Personal Data from Foreign Adversaries Act', aims to regulate and prohibit transactions involving mobile applications or software programs that participate in the unauthorized theft of user data, particularly on behalf of foreign entities identified as threats, such as communist countries or state sponsors of terrorism. The bill empowers the President to impose sanctions against any foreign individuals or entities that engage in such illicit activities, thus enhancing national security measures related to data privacy and user protection.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding the definition of 'foreign adversary' and the application of such sanctions. Critics might raise concerns about the potential overreach of the executive power granted to the President in imposing sanctions without sufficient oversight. Moreover, the deadline for the determination of specific applications, such as WeChat and TikTok, may fuel discussions regarding civil liberties, transparency, and the balance between national security and personal freedoms.

Companion Bills

US HB7476

Related bill Countering Communist China Act Stop CCP Fentanyl Act Countering Atrocities through Currency Accountability Act of 2024 Sanctioning Supporters of Slave Labor Act DATA Act Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries Act DITCH Act Dump Investments in Troublesome Communist Holdings Act ENABLERS Act Establishing New Authorities for Businesses Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security Act STOP CCP Act Sanctioning Tyrannical and Oppressive People within the Chinese Communist Party Act Disclosing Investments in Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 PARSA Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings Act Preventing Adversaries from Developing Critical Capabilities Act

Previously Filed As

US SB234

Prohibiting the use of genetic sequencers or operational software used for genetic analysis that is produced in a foreign adversary.

US AB673

Banning the use of genetic software from foreign adversaries in medical and research facilities, the storage of any human genome sequencing data within the borders of a foreign adversary, and providing a penalty. (FE)

US SB649

Banning the use of genetic software from foreign adversaries in medical and research facilities, the storage of any human genome sequencing data within the borders of a foreign adversary, and providing a penalty. (FE)

US HB212

Protecting our Land Act This bill requires the President to direct federal agencies to promulgate rules and regulations to prohibit foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism from purchasing real estate located in the United States.

US HB458

Protecting our Land Act This bill requires the President to direct federal agencies to promulgate rules and regulations to prohibit foreign adversaries or state sponsors of terrorism from purchasing real estate located in the United States.

US HB1165

Port Crane Security and Inspection Act of 2025 This bill limits the operation of foreign cranes at U.S. ports. In general, foreign cranes are those that have information technology and operational technology components that (1) were manufactured by companies that are subject to the ownership, control, or influence of a country designated as a foreign adversary; and (2) connect to ports' cyber infrastructure.Foreign cranes that are contracted for on or after the date of the bill's enactment may not operate at a U.S. port. Also, beginning five years after this bill is enacted, foreign cranes operating at U.S. ports may not use software or other technology manufactured by a company owned by a country designated as a foreign adversary.Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must (1) inspect foreign cranes for potential security risks or threats before they are placed into operation, (2) assess the threat posed by security risks or threats of existing or newly constructed foreign cranes, and (3) take any crane that poses a security risk or threat offline until the crane can be certified as no longer being a risk or threat.CISA must also report to Congress about security risks or threats posed by foreign cranes at U.S. ports.

US HB23

Illegitimate Court Counteraction ActThis bill imposes sanctions against foreign persons (individuals and entities) who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting certain individuals.The bill categorizes as protected persons (1) any U.S. individual, U.S. entity, or person in the United States, unless the United States is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and provides formal consent to ICC jurisdiction; and (2) any foreign person that is a citizen or lawful resident of a U.S. ally that is not a state party to the Rome Statute or has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.If the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against the foreign persons that engaged in or materially assisted in such actions, as well as against foreign persons owned by, controlled by, or acting on behalf of such foreign persons. The President must also apply visa-blocking sanctions to the immediate family members of those sanctioned.Upon enactment, the bill rescinds all funds appropriated for the ICC and prohibits the subsequent use of appropriated funds for the ICC.

US SB727

Foreign ownership of land; prohibiting foreign adversary company ownership of land in this state. Effective date.

US SB727

Foreign ownership of land; prohibiting foreign adversary company ownership of land in this state. Effective date.

US HF1142

Use of tenant screening software that uses nonpublic competitor data to set rent prohibited, and use of software that is biased against protected classes prohibited.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.