113 HR 8309 IH: Global Internet Freedom Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-05-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 8309IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 8, 2024Ms. Jacobs (for herself and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign AffairsA BILLTo amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for the inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Global Internet Freedom Act.

2.

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—(1)internet freedom is important to the exercise of human rights; and(2)the United States Government should proactively promote the principles of internet freedom around the world.

3.

Inclusion of additional information relating to internet freedom in Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended—(1)in section 116(d) (22 U.S.C. 2151n(d))—(A)in paragraph (11)(C), by striking and at the end;(B)in paragraph (12)(C)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following:(12)wherever applicable, the extent to which—(A)state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and(B)the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards. ; and(2)in section 502B (22 U.S.C. 2304)—(A)by redesignating the second subsection (i) (as added by section 1207(b)(2) of Public Law 113–4) as subsection (j); and(B)by adding at the end the following:(k)The report required by subsection (b) shall include, wherever applicable a description of the extent to which—(1)state or non-state actors create deliberate barriers to access to the internet, including by shutting down connectivity or blocking online content that is protected by international human rights standards; and(2)the government engages in undue restrictions on free expression and violations of privacy as they occur online, or legal and extralegal repercussions for online speech or activities that are protected by international human rights standards. .