WASHINGTON, D.C. (KATU) — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Global Trust in American Online Services Act, a draft bill aimed at protecting Americans’ communications from foreign demands that could compromise security.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 2018 CLOUD Act, which currently permits foreign governments to directly request surveillance data from U.S. companies without involving the U.S. legal system.

“Foreign governments shouldn’t get a cheat code to undermine the security of American technology,” Wyden said. “My bill would fix the loopholes in the CLOUD Act, and modernize the law so American allies can request the information they need to investigate serious crimes without sacrificing the security of Americans’ communications services.”

The initiative follows reports that the United Kingdom issued a secret order to Apple, instructing the company to weaken the encryption of its iCloud backup service. This order was reportedly facilitated by the CLOUD Act, bypassing the need for assistance from the Department of Justice.

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Wyden, along with Representative Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., has urged Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to demand the U.K. withdraw its order.

The CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, allows foreign countries to obtain data directly from U.S. firms once they have an agreement with the Justice Department. However, it does not require these countries to adhere to the due process standards guaranteed under U.S. law, potentially compromising the security of American technology products.

The Global Trust in American Online Services Act aims to address these issues by preventing foreign governments from using the CLOUD Act to mandate specific product designs, reduce security, or deliver malware. It also allows U.S. providers to challenge foreign orders in federal court and requires Congressional approval of CLOUD Act agreements, with each agreement set to expire after five years.