The Cloud Act

The CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act) is U.S. legislation that allows law enforcement agencies to access data held by American technology companies, even if that data is stored outside the U.S. or internationally. It streamlines the process for obtaining digital evidence for criminal investigations, ensuring lawful access across borders while respecting privacy rights. The Act also enables some countries to enter agreements with the U.S., allowing mutual data sharing for law enforcement purposes. Overall, it aims to improve international cooperation in combating cybercrime and terrorism while balancing privacy concerns.