WASHINGTON—Today, Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the “Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology Act,’’ the RESTRICT Act.
If enacted, this law would give the Biden administration broad powers to restrict or ban any foreign-linked technology company that Commerce Department thinks may be a national security risk.
“This is a significant expansion of presidential control over Americans and our access to information,” said NetChoice Vice President & General Counsel Carl Szabo. “Congress is already investigating how the government has abused its existing power to influence social media moderation decisions. And the administration through CFIUS is actively investigating national security concerns over TikTok.”
Szabo continued: “Congress should hesitate to give the President sweeping power over American commerce, speech and expression online.”
For inquiries, please contact Krista Chavez at press@netchoice.org.