May 17, 2018

Castro, McCaul Bill Approved by Foreign Affairs Committee, Heads to House Floor

Measure Protects U.S. Diplomats from Surveillance Through Location-Tracking Consumer Devices

Washington, D.C.–Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congressman Michael T. McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, today welcomed the Foreign Affairs Committee’s approval of their bipartisan measure the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act (H.R. 4989), which would account for location-tracking consumer devices in U.S. embassy and consulate security policies.

“U.S. diplomats advance our nation’s interests around the world, often in areas where security is at risk. As technology advances and permeates our lives, the proliferation of consumer devices that can track your location exposes our nation’s diplomatic corps and embassy blueprints to security risks. We welcome today’s passage of the Protecting Diplomats from Surveillance Through Consumer Devices Act, which requires the State Department to update embassy and consulate security policies by addressing vulnerabilities associated with location-tracking consumer devices worn by our diplomatic personnel. These frontline civilians risk their lives in service to our nation, and we must do everything we can to ensure they are protected.”

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