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Open Technology Fund Authorization Act

USA116th CongressS-3820| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Rick Scott (Republican)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Open Technology Fund Authorization Act This bill authorizes the existing Open Technology Fund (OTF) as an independent grantee within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The OTF is an independent nonprofit organization within the purview of the USAGM that supports the development of internet freedom technologies that create ways to counter censorship efforts. As an independent grantee authorized by this bill, the OTF shall seek to advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access in repressive environments through functions such as researching, developing, implementing, and maintaining secure communications tools and technologies that circumvent censorship techniques used to limit or block access to the internet; advancing internet freedom by supporting private and public sector efforts to provide secure and uncensored access to the internet; and developing, acquiring, and distributing internet freedom technologies and techniques to fully enable the creation and distribution of digital content between and to all users and audiences. To advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access, the OTF shall use methods that include supporting fully open-source tools, code, and components that are as secure, transparent, and accessible as possible; supporting technologies that undergo comprehensive security audits; and establishing safeguards to mitigate the use of supported technologies for illicit purposes. The Department of State must report on the effectiveness of the OTF and the extent to which U.S. interests are being served by its work, and the Government Accountability Office shall have access to all information pertaining to financial transactions as may be necessary to facilitate an audit.
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Timeline
Apr 24, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6621
Introduced in House
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • April 24, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6621
    Introduced in House


  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-4049: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
  • HR 116-6621: Open Technology Fund Authorization Act
Accounting and auditingAdvanced technology and technological innovationsBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBusiness recordsComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDigital mediaDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadForeign aid and international reliefHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaNews media and reportingResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentSovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Open Technology Fund Authorization Act

USA116th CongressS-3820| Senate 
| Updated: 5/21/2020
Open Technology Fund Authorization Act This bill authorizes the existing Open Technology Fund (OTF) as an independent grantee within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The OTF is an independent nonprofit organization within the purview of the USAGM that supports the development of internet freedom technologies that create ways to counter censorship efforts. As an independent grantee authorized by this bill, the OTF shall seek to advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access in repressive environments through functions such as researching, developing, implementing, and maintaining secure communications tools and technologies that circumvent censorship techniques used to limit or block access to the internet; advancing internet freedom by supporting private and public sector efforts to provide secure and uncensored access to the internet; and developing, acquiring, and distributing internet freedom technologies and techniques to fully enable the creation and distribution of digital content between and to all users and audiences. To advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access, the OTF shall use methods that include supporting fully open-source tools, code, and components that are as secure, transparent, and accessible as possible; supporting technologies that undergo comprehensive security audits; and establishing safeguards to mitigate the use of supported technologies for illicit purposes. The Department of State must report on the effectiveness of the OTF and the extent to which U.S. interests are being served by its work, and the Government Accountability Office shall have access to all information pertaining to financial transactions as may be necessary to facilitate an audit.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 24, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6621
Introduced in House
May 21, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 21, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • April 24, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6621
    Introduced in House


  • May 21, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 21, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Marsha Blackburn

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Cosponsors (3)
Rick Scott (Republican)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • S 116-4049: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
  • HR 116-6621: Open Technology Fund Authorization Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accounting and auditingAdvanced technology and technological innovationsBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBusiness recordsComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDigital mediaDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadForeign aid and international reliefHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaNews media and reportingResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentSovereignty, recognition, national governance and status