Data Protection and Warnings for Foreign Software Downloads
This act aims to enhance the security of U.S. citizens' data when downloading foreign software. It mandates warnings to users about potential privacy and censorship risks and imposes new obligations on foreign software providers regarding data storage and sharing. This empowers citizens with more information to make informed decisions about app usage.
Key points
Before downloading foreign software, users must receive a clear warning about the country of origin, owner, and risks to data privacy or censorship.
Foreign software companies cannot store U.S. consumer data outside the United States or share it with foreign governments.
Companies must regularly report on their data practices, and this information will be publicly accessible (excluding confidential material).
In cases of online activity censorship, users must have a means to appeal the decision.
Violations can lead to significant fines and even a ban on making the software available in the U.S.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_47
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Process start date: 2021-01-26