Released by United States Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana – November 6, 2023
WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released the following statements after Duke University published a report highlighting the volume at which data brokers are selling the personal data of U.S. service members to web addresses located both in the United States and abroad.
“This report further solidifies the need to address this gaping hole in the protection of U.S. service members,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Our legislation defends the men and women in uniform from having their personal information sold to our enemies like China and Russia. We must act in the interest of national security and protect those who defend our nation.”
“Data brokers are selling sensitive information about service members and their families for nickels without considering the serious national security risks,” said Senator Warren. “This report makes clear that we need real guardrails to protect the personal data of service members, veterans, and their families.”
Background
Currently, lists of military personnel, as well as information on their addresses, political beliefs, and lifestyle choices, can legally be sold to adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, threatening our national security.
In March, Cassidy and Warren co-led the introduction of the Protecting Military Service Members’ Data Act of 2023 to protect the data of U.S. service members by preventing data brokers from selling lists of military personnel data. The legislation would prohibit data brokers from selling, reselling, trading, licensing, or providing for consideration lists of military service members to adversarial nations.
