# Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021

This bill requires app stores and software companies to warn you before you download software made by companies from certain countries. Specifically, if you're downloading an app or program developed by a company based in China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, or other countries designated as terrorism supporters, you'll see a warning telling you where the software comes from. You'd have to actively click a button to acknowledge this warning before the download can proceed—it's not something you can just skip over by accident.

The warning would look something like: "Warning: [App Name] is developed by [Company Name], which is organized under the laws of [Country Name]." The idea behind this is to give consumers transparency about who's behind the software they're installing, similar to how food labels tell you what's in your meal. App store operators like Apple or Google would be responsible for making sure these warnings appear, and if they don't, they could face penalties. Software developers also have to tell the app stores if their software qualifies as "covered foreign software"—if they don't disclose this information, they can be held responsible for violations too.

The law gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) power to enforce these rules and allows them to fine companies up to $50,000 per violation. If company executives intentionally try to hide where software is developed, they could face criminal charges including fines and up to two years in prison. The bill also allows the Attorney General and FTC to add other countries to the list of "covered countries" if they believe the software poses a danger to consumers. For everyday users, this mainly means you'll see more warning messages when downloading certain foreign apps, giving you a chance to decide whether you want to proceed.

The law is set to expire after 10 years, and the FTC is required to report back to Congress after 8 years on how well it's working.

Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021

Banks, Jim

Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires commercial software operators and developers to provide consumers with a warning prior to making available for download software from specified countries that support international terrorism. Violations of this requirement are subject to enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and intentional violations are subject to criminal penalties.