Collins statement on U.S./U.K. CLOUD Agreement

Statement

Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement commending President Donald Trump for formalizing the first Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act agreement into law. Agreements made as a result of the CLOUD Act will allow the United States and its foreign partners to better investigate crime when digital evidence is stored in foreign countries. This agreement is the first reached as a result of this landmark legislation.

"This CLOUD Act agreement between the United States and United Kingdom is an important step forward in helping law enforcement better combat crime and terrorism. When we introduced the CLOUD Act in 2018, we sought to protect Americans' privacy while ensuring law enforcement has the tools to keep us safe. I am proud the CLOUD Act strikes that balance. I introduced the CLOUD Act with Representative Jeffries and Senator Hatch in 2018, with the help of Senator Graham, Chairman Goodlatte and other key lawmakers and stakeholders. I am confident, as more countries update their legal processes, more governments will seek CLOUD agreements like the one signed today."

The CLOUD Act, which was signed into law in 2018, enabled the U.S. to enter into formal agreements with other nations that have robust protections for human rights and personal privacy in place. Once in place, these agreements allow law enforcement officials in their respective countries to seek access to digital evidence stored abroad. This will shave months -- and, in some cases, years -- off investigations that would otherwise have to use a cumbersome process created before the modern internet, and it will do so while protecting human rights and personal privacy.

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