Commerce Dept. official: Avoid strict definition of 'national security' in rules on critical technologies

Privacy and data security are at the heart of a key Commerce Department official’s argument in support of leaving “national security” undefined in upcoming regulations that could limit foreign investments in critical technologies.

“I've always thought that the fact that there is no strict definition is one of the strengths [of U.S. policy] because it allows us to adjust that as necessary,” said Eric Longnecker, director of the strategic analysis and defense programs divisions at the Bureau of Industry and...