The Biden administration has announced plans to address national security concerns regarding foreign companies’ management of Americans’ data.
During a U.S. Senate hearing, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the department is taking steps to ensure the security of communication and technology networks, including the hiring of a team for monitoring, investigation, and enforcement.
Raimondo stated to Reuters that they plan to hire additional staff to identify any companies that could potentially pose a security risk to their networks or data.
Related: Biden’s TikTok Dilemma: Go After China Or Pursue Social Media Antitrust Claims
Recent discussions in Congress have focused on addressing concerns about the ownership of the popular short video-sharing app TikTok, including potential efforts to increase regulatory powers or ban the app altogether.
During a closed session on Wednesday, senators were briefed by Biden administration agencies on foreign adversaries’ exploitation of American data from social media platforms, data brokers, and other companies, as reported by Senator Jerry Moran of the Republican Party.
The Department stated that Alan Estevez, the Commerce Secretary for Industry and Security, spoke about threats to the information and communications technology supply chain (ICTS).