US Commerce Department hiring team to monitor foreign companies’ handling of Americans’ data

The US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, has announced that the department is hiring a team to monitor and investigate foreign companies that pose a potential security risk to American networks or data. The move comes amid growing concerns over the handling of Americans’data by foreign companies, particularly those owned by China, such as TikTok. The administration is reportedly hiring dozens of people to undertake the work. The announcement follows a closed-session briefing for senators by the Biden administration on the exploitation of Americans’ data by foreign adversaries through social media platforms, data brokers, and other companies.

The briefing was attended by around 20 senators and organised by the Commerce Committee. The Senate is currently considering the Restrict Act, which would grant the Commerce Department new powers to review or block transactions involving foreign companies that pose a national security risk. Raimondo has expressed her support for the legislation, saying that “it’s more than one company and it is a constant pervasive threat.”

Critics, however, have argued that the bill is too broad and could limit civil liberties. In the past, the Trump administration issued rules aimed at addressing concerns about information and communications technology supply chain threats posed by countries including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela.