In testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on June 5, 2025, Richard Salgado, Visiting Fellow on Security and Surveillance at the Cross-Border Data Forum, founder of Salgado Strategies, and a former DOJ prosecutor and Google executive, called the CLOUD Act the right framework for addressing growing threats to U.S. cybersecurity. These threats include a reported effort by the UK to secretly force Apple to weaken a global security feature. Salgado warned that such secret actions by foreign governments can harm American users, weaken global trust in U.S. companies, undermine security in the communications ecosystem, and benefit foreign competitors.
Salgado urged Congress to make targeted improvements to the Act. These include recognizing cybersecurity as a national interest, and prohibiting agreement partners from imposing anti-security obligations on U.S. companies. He noted the importance of finalizing CLOUD Act agreements with Canada and the European Union and beginning negotiations with others. If there is still any debate over whether security should yield to surveillance, Salgado emphasized, it should not be held behind closed doors abroad, but in public proceedings, led by U.S. officials elected by the American people.
- Link to the Recording of the Hearing
- Link to the Congressional Site where all the testimony can be found, as well as other items submitted for the record.
Witness Statement of Richard Salgado and Exhibits
To view the PDF copy, click here.
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These statements are attributable only to the author, and their publication here does not necessarily reflect the view of the Cross-Border Data Forum or any participating individuals or organizations.
