The United States is on the verge of unveiling a significant executive order designed to thwart foreign adversaries' access to vast reserves of highly sensitive personal data pertaining to Americans and individuals affiliated with the U.S. government.
This development underscores the growing concerns about safeguarding personal information from potential exploitation.
SCOOP💥 Biden is preparing an executive order that seeks to crack down on foreign adversaries obtaining troves of highly sensitive personal data about Americans and US government workers, including at the military, internal documents show.https://t.co/yIane6xaHu via @bpolitics
— Riley Ray Griffin (@rileyraygriffin) January 23, 2024
The draft of the executive order takes a comprehensive approach to address the various avenues through which foreign adversaries may gain access to Americans' "highly sensitive" personal data.
It specifically highlights legal means and intermediaries such as data brokers, third-party vendor agreements, employment contracts, or investment agreements as potential vectors for the unauthorized acquisition of sensitive information.
Of particular concern to the administration is the collection of data on diverse groups, including political figures, journalists, academics, activists, and members of marginalized communities.
The order acknowledges the risks associated with the potential compromise of patient data obtained through healthcare providers and researchers.
This broad scope reflects a commitment to protecting the privacy and security of individuals across various sectors of society.
This initiative aligns with a broader trend in the Biden administration's approach to technology and national security. In October of the preceding year, President Biden signed an executive order mandating developers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, posing risks to U.S. national security, economy, and public safety, to share the results of safety tests with the federal government.
This move transcended the voluntary commitments made by AI companies earlier in the year, emphasizing the administration's commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in emerging technologies.
The impending executive order is anticipated to direct the U.S. Attorney General and the Department of Homeland Security to institute new restrictions on transactions involving data that, if acquired by foreign entities, could pose a significant threat to national security.
While the details of the executive order remain private, three individuals familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity, provided insights into the administration's efforts to fortify the protection of sensitive personal data.
In essence, this executive order signals a proactive response to the evolving landscape of cyber threats and underscores the administration's dedication to fortifying national security by safeguarding the privacy and integrity of personal information.
As technology continues to play a pivotal role in our daily lives, such initiatives become imperative to navigate the delicate balance between innovation and security in an interconnected world.
