US to Prohibit Sale of Personal Data to China and Other Countries of Concern

Via executive order in late February, the administration has kicked off a process to prohibit data brokers and others from selling location, biometric, and other data about Americans to countries including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The Justice Department must write the rules that will bring the order into effect, but the intent behind them is to prevent hostile countries and entities from freely buying data that can be used for blackmail and other malign actions. News reports indicate that the administration is also considering a ban on allowing the transfer of US personal data to certain countries through mechanisms such as investment deals.  

Why It Matters

As the linked article notes, the current FBI director says that “if you ‘are an American adult, it is more likely than not that China has stolen your personal data.” The free flow of data through commercial means allows malefactors to acquire data and use it for espionage, cyber attack, and more direct threats against American interests and citizens. Restricting its sale won’t remove such data from the marketplace, but it may make it easier to track and control.  

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