Bill > HR1212

This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments for five years on terrorism threats to the United States posed by terrorist organizations using foreign cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging applications. The first assessment will analyze how terrorist groups use these messaging platforms to radicalize and recruit individuals, examine online payment features that might support terrorist activities, and provide recommendations for addressing these threats. Each assessment must be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security's legal and civil rights offices to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protection of privacy and civil liberties. The assessments will be submitted in unclassified form with a possible classified annex, and the Secretary must brief congressional homeland security and intelligence committees within 30 days of submission. The bill specifically identifies several messaging applications of concern, including those owned by ByteDance, Telegram, WeChat, and others with connections to foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations. Additionally, the Secretary must review and incorporate information from state and local fusion centers about these terrorism threats and ensure the information is shared across the National Network of Fusion Centers. The bill defines key terms such as "foreign cloud-based mobile or desktop messaging applications" and "terrorist organization" to provide clear parameters for the assessments.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1212/all-info