US Diplomats Urged to Push Back on Data‑Control Rules

The U. S. government has asked its foreign representatives to oppose new rules that would limit how American technology companies handle people’s personal data abroad. A letter from the State Department, dated February 18 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warned that such restrictions could slow global data traffic, raise costs, increase security risks and hinder artificial‑intelligence services. The officials said that “unnecessarily burdensome” regulations would also give governments more power to control information and potentially erode civil liberties. The move comes as several countries, especially in Europe, push for “data sovereignty” laws that keep data inside national borders or restrict its sharing with foreign firms. Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation, which tightened cross‑border data transfers and fined U. S. companies for non‑compliance, is a key example. China’s recent tightening of data storage rules and its linking of technology deals with strict privacy limits also factor into Washington’s concerns.In the letter, U. S. diplomats were told to track proposals that could curb data flows and to promote the Global Cross‑Border Privacy Rules Forum, a coalition of countries that aims to keep data moving freely while protecting privacy. The same administration had earlier asked officials to challenge the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which would require social media platforms to remove illegal content. Last week the U. S. announced plans for an online portal that would let users bypass certain content restrictions, a move seen by some as a counter to European censorship efforts. Experts suggest the administration’s stance marks a shift toward a more confrontational policy, especially as European leaders grow wary of American tech giants that rely on large data sets for AI. Dutch cloud specialist Bert Hubert notes that Washington’s current strategy contrasts sharply with previous efforts to win European customers. Instead, the U. S. is now pushing Europeans to ignore their own data‑privacy rules that could hinder American business interests. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, and the Global Cross‑Border Privacy Rules Forum has also declined to speak. Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Washington said it was unaware of the letter but affirmed its commitment to cybersecurity and data protection. The European Commission has yet to comment.