{"id":23781,"date":"2023-04-03T23:30:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T06:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=23781"},"modified":"2024-01-25T06:22:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T14:22:23","slug":"restrict-act-bill-digital-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/restrict-act-bill-digital-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"The RESTRICT Act Is a Threat to the Digital Freedom of US Citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new bill in the US Congress could ultimately change internet freedom as Americans know it.<\/strong> The RESTRICT Act would allow the government to ban foreign apps and websites<\/strong> posing \u201cactual\u201d or \u201cpotential threat\u201d to \u201cnational security\u201d, especially if they originate from countries on the foreign adversary list.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On these grounds, the US government could ban apps entirely and\/or severely restrict how they can be used by individuals. Ultimately, the power to choose which apps you use, and how, would lie in the hands of the US authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private Internet Access strongly opposes any attempts to restrict the digital freedom and privacy of US citizens, and we remain committed to maintaining the privacy of our customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn more about the RESTRICT Act<\/strong>, how it could impact your online freedom, and why you should care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Table of Contents<\/h4>\nWhat Is the RESTRICT ACT (S.686)<\/a>
\nHow Will the RESTRICT Act Impact US Citizens?\n<\/a>
\n PIA\u2019s Stance on the RESTRICT Act<\/a>
\n Make Your Voice Heard<\/a>
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What Is the RESTRICT Act (S.686)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology or RESTRICT<\/a> Act (S.686 2023-2024) was first introduced in the Senate on March 7 and is currently under consideration by Congress.. The stated aim of the legislation is to create a proactive solution to monitoring and tackling invasive foreign technologies<\/strong> before their popularity makes it difficult to take action.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RESTRICT bill garnered attention due to growing concern about the potential for apps like TikTok to spy on American citizens. Debate has centered around how the Chinese government can ask TikTok to hand over any sensitive data it\u2019s collected about US citizens. <\/strong>Under the RESTRICT Act, the US government could stop apps like TikTok from being able to collect data by banning them entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Per the RESTRICT Act, the US Department of Commerce will be responsible for reviewing technology from countries on a \u2018foreign adversaries\u2019 list<\/strong>. Technologies and services from China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Russia, and Cuba are explicitly mentioned as posing a significant risk, which is also why they are on the \u2018foreign adversaries\u2019 list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a potential threat is identified, the Secretary of Commerce can take steps to ban or restrict the use of said technology and services within the US. <\/strong>Specifically, the app would need to fall within one of five categories to warrant restriction or limitations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 Categories of Undue or Unacceptable Risk Under the RESTRICT Act<\/h3>
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