President Joe Biden is set to issue an executive order aimed at safeguarding the personal data of Americans from foreign governments and entities, reports Bloomberg. The order seeks to address concerns that countries, particularly those employing artificial intelligence (AI), may exploit personal data for espionage or blackmail purposes. It highlights the potential risks of AI-enabled recognition of patterns across various datasets to uncover valuable information about individuals linked to the US federal government. The order, whose specific data protection parameters will be determined by members of the Biden administration, aims to restrict the sharing of sensitive data, including genetic information and location data, with national security implications.
One of the main concerns prompting this executive order relates to businesses operating in China. These companies, both Chinese and foreign, are required to provide data upon request by the Chinese government. The executive order aims to address these concerns and protect personal data from unauthorized access or misuse.
In addition to the executive order, the Biden administration plans to propose new regulations governing the processing and handling of private data. This initiative goes beyond the immediate scope of the executive order and is intended to establish comprehensive measures for protecting personal data both domestically and abroad.
The move to strengthen personal data protection comes as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the security and privacy of Americans in an increasingly interconnected world. By addressing concerns surrounding foreign access to personal data, the Biden administration aims to enhance national security and protect individuals from potential harm arising from the misuse of their personal information. The executive order and proposed regulations together form a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the personal data of Americans in an era when data privacy and security are paramount.
