Restricting Foreign Access to Government Information and Protecting US Technology.
This law significantly modifies the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), limiting the ability of non-citizens and foreign entities to request government records. The primary goal is to protect national security and critical technologies by preventing foreign adversaries, particularly those linked to specific countries, from accessing sensitive data. US citizens and permanent residents retain their rights, but the government gains new tools to withhold technical and security information.
Key points
Individuals who are neither US citizens nor lawful permanent residents are generally barred from submitting most FOIA requests.
Entities headquartered outside the US or subsidiaries of companies based in specific adversarial nations (e.g., China, Russia, Iran) are denied access.
A new exemption allows agencies to withhold blueprints, formulas, and technical data related to emerging technologies if disclosure could harm US interests.
Knowingly assisting prohibited entities in obtaining information is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 and imprisonment.
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