WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has signed legislation that would extend some U.S. privacy protections to citizens of allied countries and let foreigners sue the U.S. government if their personal data is unlawfully disclosed.
The bill, which had wide bipartisan support in Congress, was aimed at shoring up trust among European allies following leaks by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.
Obama says the new law makes sure data is protected under U.S. privacy laws, “not only American citizens, but also foreign citizens.”
Supporters say extending those protections helps ensure that other nations will continue sharing law enforcement data with the United States.
Obama also signed a separate bill Wednesday that bans taxes on Internet access.