This NSI Law and Policy Paper highlights:

• Data as a National Security Threat: Foreign-owned technology platforms and infrastructure have enabled large-scale data collection and misuse, creating new avenues for espionage, surveillance, and influence operations.
• Policy Gaps and Adversarial Technology: Rapid digital innovation has outpaced U.S. legislation, while adversaries like China exploit these gaps—expanding global data acquisition through smart cities, 5G infrastructure, and international deals.
• AI and Data Integrity Risks: AI systems depend on trustworthy data; adversarial manipulation of datasets threatens to distort decision-making, public discourse, and national security operations.
• Urgent U.S. Policy Action Needed: Congress and the Executive Branch must prioritize data protections, centralize oversight, boost cyber enforcement, and treat critical data infrastructure as a core security issue.

This backgrounder was authored by NSI Senior Fellow Amy K. Mitchell.

Download the PDF here.