The CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act)

The CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, allows U.S. law enforcement to access data stored overseas by American companies when investigating crimes. It aims to resolve conflicts between U.S. laws and foreign data protection laws. The Act also establishes a framework for international agreements, enabling law enforcement in other countries to request data directly from U.S. tech companies. Overall, it seeks to balance the needs of law enforcement with privacy concerns, ensuring that investigations can proceed effectively while respecting legal boundaries.