by

Michael T. Borgia and Assaf Ariely (photos courtesy of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP)
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a comprehensive final rule (the “Rule”) targeting foreign access to sensitive U.S. data, including Americans’ “bulk” sensitive personal data.
The Rule, which DOJ announced on December 27, 2024, prohibits and restricts U.S. persons from entering into certain transactions involving access by “countries of concern” and “covered persons” to “bulk U.S. sensitive personal data” and “government-related data” by “countries of concern” and “covered persons.” “U.S. persons” subject to the Rule are defined broadly to include any U.S. citizen, national, or lawful person, any entity organized under the laws of the United States or any U.S. jurisdiction, and any person physically within the United States.

