North Michigan News

Representative Jack Bergman and Representative Mikie Sherrill have introduced a bipartisan bill called the Bolstering America's Defenses Against Potentially Perilous Software (BAD APPS) Act, aimed at protecting national security and defense personnel from the risks associated with downloading mobile apps onto their devices. The bill, which was secured by Representative Sherrill in Section 1858 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, addresses the increasing use of foreign-owned apps by adversaries to gather sensitive information from defense personnel.

The legislation requires the Department of Defense to develop an accountable risk framework to evaluate potentially dangerous cell phone apps comprehensively. Using this framework, the Department of Defense will issue internal guidance to personnel on how to limit risks posed by certain foreign mobile applications and their proximity to sensitive DoD activities.

Representative Bergman highlighted the importance of the BAD APPS Act in ensuring that defense personnel have the necessary guidance to make informed decisions regarding app downloads. He stated, "Our adversaries are flooding app stores with seemingly harmless apps that present a real danger to our national security. The BAD APPS Act will ensure our national security personnel have proper guidance on these evolving threats to make smart decisions."

Similarly, Representative Sherrill emphasized the need for national security professionals and servicemembers to have the information required to make smart cyber decisions. She said, "That's why I am proud to introduce the BAD APPS Act, legislation that takes a proactive approach to help the Department of Defense keep track of potentially dangerous cell phone applications."

The BAD APPS Act has gained the endorsement of With Honor Action and has garnered support from several cosponsors, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ashley Hinson, Dan Newhouse, John Garamendi, Jason Crow, Brad Finstad, Andre Carson, and Jill Tokuda.

Representative Newhouse highlighted the importance of the legislation in safeguarding defense employees' data from bad foreign actors who add malware to seemingly harmless mobile applications. He stated, "This legislation aims to close that door and prevent our adversaries from gaining access."

With Honor Action, in endorsing the BAD APPS Act, recognized the unique challenge posed by the proliferation of mobile apps to national security. They emphasized the need for the Department of Defense to provide guidance to military members to make risk-based assessments on which apps to download. Tom Seaman, Legislative Director of With Honor Action, stated, "Members of our military want to do the right thing, and this bill helps provide them with the guidance to do so."

The BAD APPS Act seeks to strengthen national security and protect defense personnel worldwide from nefarious phone applications. By creating an accountable risk framework and issuing internal guidance, the Department of Defense aims to mitigate the risks associated with downloading foreign-owned apps.

Click this link to access more information: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1135