The US Commerce Department is stepping up efforts to address concerns about foreign companies handling Americans’ data.
The department is hiring dozens of people to monitor, investigate, and enforce any undue security risk posed to the US’ data networks. The potential threat posed by Chinese-owned app TikTok is among the issues being addressed, with some senators proposing the Restrict Act to grant the Commerce Department the authority to block transactions involving foreign firms deemed to pose a national security risk.
The department has already placed more than 200 Chinese companies on an entity list and is actively investigating further threats.