Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act

The Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments of terrorism threats to the United States. These assessments specifically target threats posed by terrorist organizations utilizing foreign cloud-based mobile or desktop messaging applications , which Congress recognizes as a significant national security challenge that is not yet well understood. The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is tasked with recognizing, assessing, and addressing this threat to reduce risks to the American people. Beginning 180 days after enactment and annually for five years, these assessments must be submitted to appropriate congressional committees. The content of these assessments will include an analysis of how terrorist organizations use these applications for radicalization and recruitment , information on how online payment features provide monetary support to these groups, and recommendations for appropriate countermeasures. Each assessment must be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security's Privacy Office and Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to ensure compliance with applicable law and protection of individual rights. The assessments will be submitted in an unclassified form, with a classified annex for intelligence sources and methods, and the unclassified portion will be publicly posted. Furthermore, the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to review and incorporate relevant information from State and local fusion centers into these assessments and disseminate such information back to the centers. The bill broadly defines "foreign cloud-based mobile or desktop messaging applications" to include those connected to foreign adversaries or terrorist organizations, specifically listing examples such as ByteDance-owned applications, Tamtam, Telegram, WeChat, and Weibo, among others.