Dear Senators,
Independent Women’s Voice, which fights to enhance people’s freedom, opportunities, and well-being, is proud to support the Know Your App Act, introduced by Senator Tim Scott.
The Know Your App Act would increase consumer transparency by requiring application stores to publicly list the country of origin of the applications that they distribute. It also requires the Treasury and Commerce Departments to publish a list of adversarial governments that may have undue control over content moderation, algorithm design, or user data transfers.
The reality is that when it comes to the use of online applications and platforms, consumers – and our data – often become the product. We deserve to know who controls the applications we use and to whom they are accountable.
Importantly, the bill also gives consumers the option to filter out applications from the list of identified countries so they can protect themselves, and their loved ones, against potential threats.
This approach should draw broad support; it offers application users (and parents) information, but still allows them to make their own choices about which apps to download and use. This is common sense.
Thank you, Senator Scott, for leading the charge for better transparency and information for consumers. We urge you to join him and support the Know Your App Act.
Respectfully,
Hadley Heath Manning
Vice President for Policy
Independent Women’s Voice