Executive Order Limits Sale Or Transfer Of Personal Data To Certain Countries

In Short

The Background: The U.S. Government has identified the exploitation of Americans' bulk sensitive personal data and U.S. government-related data by "countries of concern" as posing a national security risk.

The Result: On February 28, 2024, President Biden issued an Executive Order ("EO") that requires the development of rules to limit the ability of countries of concern to access personal and sensitive data.

Looking Ahead: The EO directs the Attorney General and several U.S. federal agencies to promulgate regulations to prevent or restrict certain transactions with and activities involving entities connected to countries of concern consistent with the EO.

The EO indicates a major step by the U.S. Government to significantly limit the sale, access, sharing, and transfer of Americans' bulk "sensitive personal data" to jurisdictions deemed "countries of concern," such as China and Russia. According to the EO, this action was necessary due to national