Technology

S 1668 prohibits senior U.S. government officials - including the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and Senate-confirmed appointees - from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing cryptocurrencies, tokens, or stablecoins for profit. It also bans acquiring similar financial interests through derivatives or investment funds, while allowing normal public market trading. Violations face civil penalties of up to 10% of the financial interest's value or profits gained, and criminal charges if losses exceed $1 million or personal financial gain occurs. The law applies during official service and for one year after leaving office.

HR 4894, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, prohibits the intentional spread of false information about voting procedures, eligibility, or penalties within 60 days of an election. The bill specifically targets deceptive communications through social media, text messages, and AI-generated content designed to prevent voters from casting ballots, including false claims about voting locations, registration status, or legal consequences. It creates a private right of action for individuals harmed by these deceptive practices and authorizes the Attorney General to issue corrective information to counter false claims. The law directly affects voters, election officials, social media platforms, and anyone spreading false voting information, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for violations.

The RESTRICT Act (HR 6879) requires U.S. companies to obtain a license before exporting advanced computer chips to countries listed in a specific export control group (as of January 2025) and to regions like Hong Kong and Macau. It also blocks licenses for exports to entities primarily located in countries of concern (including those same nations plus Hong Kong and Macau). U.S. companies may avoid the license requirement if they meet strict conditions, such as limiting foreign ownership to 10% and implementing security measures to prevent misuse. The law expires five years after enactment.

The AI OVERWATCH Act requires U.S. exporters to obtain a license for sending certain high-performance integrated circuits (defined by specific technical specifications like processing power or bandwidth) to countries designated as "concerns," including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Before approving such licenses, the Commerce Department must submit detailed certifications to Congress, including assurances the export won’t support military/intelligence capabilities of the recipient country and won’t harm U.S. semiconductor availability or AI leadership. The bill also creates an exemption for U.S. companies meeting strict security and ownership standards ("trusted United States persons") to export these chips to non-target countries without a license. Additionally, it mandates a national security strategy assessing how such exports affect U.S. AI competitiveness, particularly regarding China’s semiconductor production and capabilities.

This bill makes it illegal to distribute online digital instructions (like 3D printer files) that can automatically program a 3D printer to create a firearm or complete a firearm receiver. It directly affects individuals who share such files online, including those creating or distributing "ghost gun" schematics. The key mechanism prohibits the internet distribution of these specific digital files under federal law, aiming to prevent untraceable firearms. This addresses the concern that 3D-printed guns lack serial numbers, making them difficult for law enforcement to trace after crimes.

This bill repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which currently shields online platforms from most liability for user-generated content. It would remove this legal protection, potentially making platforms more liable for content posted by users. The bill also updates references to Section 230 in other federal laws (like the Trademark Act and criminal codes) to instead reference Section 223 of the Communications Act. The changes would take effect two years after the bill is enacted.