Bill · S. 417· Senate(119-S-417)
INFORM Act
- Introduced
- 2/5/2025
- Last activity
- 2/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Dan Sullivan
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "INFORM Act," aims to increase access to independent information for citizens of the People's Republic of China. It directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to counter the Chinese Communist Party's digital censorship and surveillance regime. To achieve this, the bill establishes an interagency task force to coordinate efforts across federal agencies. It also creates the Global News Service to curate and distribute fact-based, uncensored news in Mandarin Chinese and English. Additionally, the act focuses on developing technical tools to help users circumvent internet censorship.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+6
The bill funds the creation of tools to help users circumvent digital censorship and access a more open internet.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+5
The bill funds the development of technical tools for internet circumvention and secure communication.
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+4
The bill instructs the Secretary of State to prioritize addressing the lack of information reciprocity in diplomatic engagement.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased access to information: The bill seeks to provide PRC citizens with independent and reliable news regarding events inside the PRC and globally (Section 3, subsection 19; Section 5, subsection 2).
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Support for individual freedoms: By increasing access to uncensored content, the bill aims to support PRC citizens in advancing their individual human rights and freedoms (Section 3, subsection 19).
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Circumvention of censorship: The bill prioritizes the development of tools and software to help people bypass the "Great Firewall" and access the internet more freely (Section 5, subsection 2; Section 8, subsection d, paragraph 2).
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Global news accessibility: The creation of the Global News Service will provide news organizations, independent journalists, and content creators worldwide with access to fact-based, uncensored news related to China (Section 7, subsection b, paragraph 2).
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Targeted content for the diaspora: The Global News Service's Mandarin Chinese-language service is intended to target the Chinese diaspora living abroad (Section 7, subsection b, paragraph s, A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Note: The provided text does not explicitly list specific negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5Improves Diplomatic Engagement+4
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Immigrants+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+1
- 2/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire