Contact Congress about S. 1974: Protecting Americans' Data From Foreign Surveillance Act of 2023

Companies would need U.S. approval before sending large sets of sensitive data about people in the United States to some foreign countries. The bill also sets exceptions for personal data, service needs, strong encryption, court orders, journalism, and protected speech.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Protecting Americans' Data From Foreign Surveillance Act of 2023 is a Senate bill in Congress.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects organizations that hold or move large amounts of personal data about people in the United States. That includes tech companies, data brokers, app developers, cloud providers, health systems, banks, schools, research groups, and firms with foreign partners. People in the United States could get more limits on where their sensitive data goes. Companies may face new license checks, fees, public reporting, and penalties if they break the rules.

Why this matters: Large personal datasets can reveal private details about people's lives, and this bill would put new gates on sending that data abroad. It could reduce the risk that foreign governments use Americans' data for spying, pressure, or targeting. It could also slow normal global services that depend on moving data between countries. The real effect would depend on how the Commerce Department defines covered data, sets limits, chooses country lists, and handles license requests.

Key provisions in S. 1974

• The Commerce Secretary must name the sensitive personal data covered by the bill. The Secretary must work with other agencies and update the list when bulk exports could harm U.S. national security.
• The Commerce Secretary must set size limits for covered data transfers. The rules apply to exports, reexports, and transfers inside a foreign country to a restricted country, usually between data on 10,000 and 1,000,000 people per year per person.
• Big data holders face stricter triggers in higher-risk cases. This applies when an entity holds data on more than 1,000,000 covered people and sends data to restricted-country governments, parent companies acting on those governments' requests, or entities on the Commerce Entity List.
• The Commerce Secretary must review the rules over time. At least every five years, the Secretary must review covered data types, size limits, and the country lists for licenses and exemptions.
• The Commerce Secretary must set encryption durability rules. For each covered data type, the Secretary must decide how long encryption must stay secure to stop harmful use by foreign governments or foreign adversaries.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1974

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 1974

What is S. 1974?

Companies would need U.S. approval before sending large sets of sensitive data about people in the United States to some foreign countries. The bill also sets exceptions for personal data, service needs, strong encryption, court orders, journalism, and protected speech.

How do I support or oppose S. 1974?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 1974?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 1974?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.