Sec. 4. Circumvention technology
548 words·~2 min read·
/bill/117/s/3764/is/section-4·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In this section, the term internet censorship circumvention tool means a software application or other tool that an individual can use to evade foreign government restrictions on internet access. If the government of a foreign country restricts or closes off internet access to the residents of such country, or access to certain websites, the Secretary of State shall make available $2,500,000 from the Economic Support Fund on an expedited basis to vetted entities already engaged in internet freedom programs in such country if the Secretary determines that such use of funds is in the national interest. Amounts may be made available under paragraph
(1)within 7 days if— the Secretary of State notifies the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate , the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate , the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives , and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives of such planned expenditure; and such amounts are expended to provide bandwidth for private United States companies that received Federal funding during fiscal year 2021 to provide unrestricted internet access overseas. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of USAID shall jointly submit a report, which may include a classified annex, to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. Such report shall describe— as of the date of the report— the full scope of Internet Freedom programs within the Department of State and USAID, including— Department of State circumvention efforts; and USAID efforts to support internet infrastructure; the capacity of internet censorship circumvention tools supported by the United States Government that are available for use by individuals in foreign countries seeking to counteract censors; and any barriers to the provision of the efforts described in clauses
(i)and
(ii)of subparagraph (A), including access to surge funding; and any new resources needed to provide the United States Government with greater capacity to provide and boost internet access— to respond rapidly to internet shutdowns in closed societies; and to provide internet connectivity to foreign locations where the provision of additional internet access service would promote freedom from repressive regimes. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the USAGM Chief Executive Officer shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives that describes— as of the date of the report— the full scope of Internet Freedom programs within USAGM, including— the efforts of the Office of Internet Freedom; and the efforts of the Open Technology Fund; the capacity of internet censorship circumvention tools supported by the Office of Internet Freedom and grantees of the Open Technology Fund that are available for use by individuals in foreign countries seeking to counteract censors; and any barriers to the provision of the efforts described in clause
(i)and
(ii)of subparagraph (A), including access to surge funding; and successful examples from the Office of Internet Freedom and Open Technology Fund involving— responding rapidly to internet shutdowns in closed societies; and ensuring uninterrupted circumvention services for USAGM entities to promote internet freedom within repressive regimes.