(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says foreign adversaries have a proven track record of using apps and websites to secretly collect data from Americans, and he’s introducing legislation that aims to thwart such efforts. Grassley, a Republican, is sponsoring the measure with Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. “Our bipartisan bill gives Americans further control over their own data,” Grassley says. “Our legislation would shine light on malicious foreign actors that store, expose and transfer Americans’ personal data.” Those illegal actions threaten national security and violate privacy rights, Grassley says. His bill is called the Internet Application Integrity and Disclosure Act.

“It would require websites and apps owned by China, North Korea, Russia and Iran to disclose their ownership to potential users,” Grassley says. “This helps consumers make informed decisions on when and with whom they share their private information.” He says the goal is to keep Americans’ private information private, and away from the eyes of foreign enemies.  “Americans have a right to keep their data protected from malicious actors, and especially if that’s our nation’s greatest adversaries, from a national security standpoint.”

Cortez Masto introduced an earlier version of the bill last year that required websites and apps to disclose ties with the Chinese Communist Party.