Justice Department targets threats to U.S. innovation, warns of China's "weaponization of data"

Washington — A new federal initiative dedicated to keeping America's technological advances out of the hands of foreign adversaries will be part of the Biden administration's growing strategy to combat growing threats from China, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

The Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency partnership between the Departments of Justice and Commerce, will aim to target rival nations like China that seek to use American high-tech advances to undermine national security and upset the rule of law, according to Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. 

Speaking at the Chatham House, a British think tank, Monaco said the newly minted group will serve as the latest component in the Justice Department's effort to protect American technology and data.