Joe Biden eyes new ways to bar China from scooping up US data
- A proposed executive order reflects an effort by the administration to respond more aggressively to national security threats allegedly posed by foreign firms
- The move follows failed bids by the Donald Trump administration to bar Americans from using popular social media platforms TikTok and WeChat
The Joe Biden administration has drafted an executive order that would give the Department of Justice vast powers to stop foreign adversaries like China from accessing Americans’ personal data, according to a person familiar with the matter and excerpts seen by Reuters.
The proposal, which is being reviewed by government agencies, would also direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prevent federal funding from supporting the transfer of US health data to foreign adversaries, according to the excerpts.
The draft order reflects an effort by the administration to respond more aggressively to national security threats allegedly posed by Chinese companies that acquire US personal data, after failed bids by the Trump administration to bar Americans from using popular social media platforms TikTok and WeChat.
Former president Donald Trump tried to ban the apps in 2020 alleging data collected by them could be given to Beijing and used to track users and censor content. China and the apps have denied any improper use of US data.
00:54
US President Joe Biden drops Donald Trump orders seeking ban on China’s TikTok, WeChat
But the courts halted implementation of the bans and US President Joe Biden eventually revoked them.