Across the United States, evolving data collection and processing practices are driving digital services and socially beneficial research, but also pose increasing risks to individuals and communities that America’s existing sectoral privacy frameworks are insufficient to govern. In response, leaders in law and policy are considering more comprehensive approaches to privacy regulation, which establish baseline rights and protections for personal data throughout the economy. Years of negotiations in Congress culminated in the introduction of the bipartisan American Data Privacy and Protection Act in 2022; however, its fate remains uncertain. In the absence of federal legislation, five U.S. states—California, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, and Connecticut— enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws between 2018-2022.
The Future of Privacy Forum provides expert, independent analysis of legislative and regulatory approaches to protecting data privacy interests. FPF does not typically support or oppose particular bills, but instead focuses on analyzing proposals in relation to existing privacy frameworks, sharing information on current data practices and technologies, and ensuring that data governance strategies are future-looking and adaptable.
FPF also engages with the broader privacy community through reports, blog posts, webinars, and educational programs such as the CPRA Law + Tech Series. It is our view that robust and durable policy outcomes can be achieved when all stakeholders are equipped to understand the key technologies, business practices, and legal mechanisms available to regulate privacy and data protection. FPF’s legislation work is led by Keir Lamont, Director.
Setting the Stage: Connecticut Senate Bill 2 Lays the Groundwork for Responsible AI in the States
Last night, on April 24, the Connecticut Senate passed SB 2, marking a significant step toward comprehensive AI regulation in the United States. This comprehensive, risk-based approach has emerged as a leading state legislative framework for AI regulation. If enacted, SB 2 would stand as the first piece of legislation in the United States governing […]
FPF Develops Checklist & Guide to Help Schools Vet AI Tools for Legal Compliance
FPF’s Youth and Education team has developed a checklist and accompanying policy brief to help schools vet generative AI tools for compliance with student privacy laws. Vetting Generative AI Tools for Use in Schools is a crucial resource as the use of generative AI tools continues to increase in educational settings. It’s critical for school […]
The Old Line State Does Something New on Privacy
On April 6, the Maryland Senate concurred with House amendments to SB 541, the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA), sending the bill to Governor Moore for signature. If enacted, MODPA could be a paradigm-shifting addition to the state privacy law landscape. While recent state comprehensive privacy laws generally have added to the existing landscape […]
FPF Submits Comments to the Office of Management and Budget on AI and Privacy Impact Assessments
On April 1, 2024, the Future of Privacy Forum filed comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to the agency’s Request for Information on how privacy impact assessments (PIAs) may mitigate privacy risks exacerbated by AI and other advances in technology. The OMB issued the RFI pursuant to the White House’s […]
FPF Statement on Vice President Harris’ announcement on the OMB Policy to Advance Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management in Federal Agencies’ Use of Artificial Intelligence
Following the groundbreaking White House Executive Order on AI last fall, which outlined ambitious goals to promote the safe, secure, and trustworthy use and development of AI systems, Vice President Harris has today announced the publication by the Office of Management and Budget of a binding memorandum on “Advancing Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management for […]
AI Audits, Equity Awareness in Data Privacy Methods, and Facial Recognition Technologies are Major Topics During This Year’s Privacy Papers for Policymakers Events
Author: Judy Wang, Communications Intern, FPF The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) hosted two engaging events honoring 2023’s must-read privacy scholarship at the 14th Annual Privacy Papers for Policymakers ceremonies. On Tuesday, February 27, FPF hosted a Capitol Hill event featuring an opening keynote by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) as well as facilitated discussions […]
FPF Files COPPA Comments with the Federal Trade Commission
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission (Commission) in response to its request for comment on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) proposed rule. Read our comments in full. As technology evolves, so must the regulations designed to protect children online, and FPF commends the Commission’s efforts […]
Little New About Hampshire
On March 6, 2024, Governor Sununu signed SB 255 into law, making New Hampshire the fourteenth U.S. State to adopt a comprehensive privacy law to govern the collection, use, and transfer of personal data. SB 255 is the second comprehensive privacy law enacted in 2024, the first having been New Jersey’s S332, which was also […]
FPF Statement on President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union Address
“At this critical moment in time, the U.S. is positioned to demonstrate leadership to develop and regulate emerging technologies such as AI. These tools, while incredibly advantageous when deployed responsibly, also carry tremendous potential to cause harm. We commend the Biden administration for recognizing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by AI technologies. We’re also […]
The DNA of Genetic Privacy Legislation: Montana, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia Enter 2024 with New Genetic Privacy Laws Incorporating FPF’s Best Practices
In 2023, four states enacted new genetic privacy laws regulating direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. This blog post provides details on what these new laws cover and how they compare to FPF’s widely-adopted Best Practices for Consumer Genetic Testing Services. Genetic privacy has been under increasing scrutiny at the state and federal levels, and regulators are […]