The CAUTION Act requires app makers and distributors to warn users before they download or update certain mobile applications that the federal government has banned from government devices. Specifically, this applies to apps that were prohibited under a 2022 law (Public Law 117-328), which targeted apps owned or controlled by foreign adversaries like China.

When someone tries to download or update one of these banned apps, they must see a clear warning stating that the app is prohibited on government-owned devices by law. This warning needs to be obvious and easy to understand—not hidden in fine print. The goal is to make sure everyday people know they're downloading an app that the government considers a security risk, even though they can still use it on their personal devices.

If app companies fail to show this warning, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can take action against them, treating it the same way they handle other deceptive business practices. Companies that violate this rule can face civil penalties of up to $46,517 per violation. Essentially, this bill is about transparency—making sure users have the information they need to make informed choices about which apps they install, while the government maintains its ability to keep certain apps off federal computers and networks.

CAUTION Act of 2023

Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]

Chinese-owned Applications Using The Information of Our Nation Act of 2023 or the CAUTION Act of 2023 This bill requires any person who sells or distributes the social media application TikTok (or any service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited) to disclose, prior to download, that the use of the application is prohibited on devices owned by the federal government.