US unveils new rules to block China, Russia and Iran from accessing bulk US data

Proposal implements executive order that aims to keep foreign adversaries from accessing US data for cyberattacks, espionage and blackmail

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US Justice Department has proposed rules to protect federal government data or citizens’ personal data from getting into the hands of countries such as China, Iran and Russia. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

Published: 2:44am, 22 Oct 2024Updated: 4:05am, 22 Oct 2024

The US Justice Department on Monday proposed new rules to protect federal government data or Americans’ bulk personal data from getting into the hands of countries such as China, Iran and Russia by placing new limits on certain business transactions.

The proposal, which was previewed in March, implements an executive order issued earlier this year by US President Joe Biden that aims to keep foreign adversaries from using accessible American financial and genomic data and health data for cyberattacks, espionage and blackmail.

In addition to China, Russia and Iran, the rule would also apply to Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea.

Washington has been trying to stem the flow of American personal data to China, part of a years-long struggle over trade and technology.

In 2018, a US panel that reviews foreign investments for potential national security threats rejected a plan by China’s Ant Financial to acquire US money transfer company MoneyGram International, because of concerns over safety of data that can be used to identify US citizens.

The logo of Ant Financial at its headquarters in China’s Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Photo: Reuters

The officials said transactions will be banned with data brokers who know the information will end up in “countries of concern”, as will the transfer of any data on US government staff.