Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Summary
The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish a list of entities holding FCC authorizations, licenses, or grants of authority that have certain foreign ownership. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in US communications infrastructure. The bill requires the FCC to identify and list entities with equity or voting interests held by covered entities (governments or entities from covered countries).
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased scrutiny of companies operating in the US communications sector with foreign ownership. This could potentially deter investment from covered countries or lead to divestment. The FCC will be required to create new rules and update the list annually.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency regarding foreign ownership in US communications.
- Potential reduction of foreign adversary influence in US communication networks.
- Enhanced national security by identifying potential vulnerabilities.
- Informed decision-making by consumers and businesses regarding communication service providers.
- May deter adversarial nations from exploiting US communication infrastructure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased regulatory burden on the FCC.
- Risk of chilling legitimate foreign investment in the US communications sector.
- Possible retaliatory measures from covered countries.
- Potential for inaccurate or biased determinations by national security agencies.
- Compliance costs for businesses to report foreign ownership.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The Act's focus on transparency and national security is within the scope of these constitutional powers. However, potential impacts on individual liberties and due process should be carefully considered during implementation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).