New legislation to improve national cybersecurity has been introduced to Congress. The Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act will address potential threats posed by technology from foreign adversaries, such as TikTok. 

TikTok has already been banned on government devices by several states over data privacy concerns. The RESTRICT Act would establish a risk-based process by directing the Department of Commerce to identify and mitigate foreign threats to information and communications technology products and services.

Specifically, the RESTRICT Act would:

Require the Secretary of Commerce to establish procedures to identify, deter, disrupt, prevent, prohibit and mitigate transactions involving information and communications technology products in which any foreign adversary has any interest and poses undue or unacceptable risk to national security.

Prioritize evaluation of information communications and technology products used in critical infrastructure, integral to telecommunications products or pertaining to a range of defined emerging, foundational and disruptive technologies with serious national security implications.

Ensure comprehensive actions to address risks of untrusted foreign information communications and technology products by requiring the Secretary to take up consideration of concerning activity identified by other government entities.

Educate the public and business community about the threat by requiring the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate with the Director of National Intelligence to provide declassified information on how transactions denied or otherwise mitigated posed undue or unacceptable risk.