United States President Joe Biden takes action to protect American citizens' private information from nations that are viewed as hostile by issuing an executive order on Wednesday, February 28.

Concerning Factor

According to CNBC, the practice of data collection and trading between businesses and individuals, known as data brokers, is at the center of the executive order.

Data brokers and other businesses are a source of worry for the Biden administration since they may sell this information to "countries of concern" with a history of collecting and exploiting personal data.

For instance, there has been prior fear among lawmakers and intelligence agencies that the Chinese Communist Party is gathering a large amount of data from the US, which might compromise national security.

Genomic, biometric, personal health, geolocation, financial, and other forms of personally identifiable information are the primary targets of the directive.

A White House fact page states that hostile nations may use this data "to track Americans (including military service members), pry into their personal lives, and pass that data on to other data brokers and foreign intelligence services."

The White House said in its statement about the new executive order that selling Americans' personal information poses serious threats to national security, including privacy invasion, blackmail, and counterintelligence. They emphasized that this is especially true for those serving in the military or working in the security sector.

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Orders to Agencies

The presidential order specifies that the Department of Justice (DOJ) must issue several rules to safeguard confidential information.

Along with the DOJ, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will also be directed to establish stringent security measures to forestall the acquisition of sensitive American data by nations of concern through other commercial channels, including information obtainable through investment, vendor, and employment ties.

In addition, while reviewing submarine cable permits, the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector is directed by the order to take into account the risks to Americans' sensitive personal data.

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