Future of Privacy Forum Announces Partnership with The George Washington University Law School

Privacy Scholars to Partner with Think Tank to Focus on the Future of Privacy Law and Policy

WASHINGTON, October 8, 2009 – The Washington-based think tank The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) announce a unique partnership to advance programs focused on the future of privacy law and policy.

“FPF and GW Law have come together to create something quite new: a formal partnership to examine the privacy challenges presented by new technology,” said FPF Co-Chair Christopher Wolf. “By bringing together some of the best-thinking people from academia, the private sector and government, we can ensure critical examination of the social, legal and policy implications of the digital age.”

GW Law boasts a prestigious roster of privacy scholars on its faculty including professors Jeffrey Rosen, Daniel Solove and Orin Kerr, and is known for its in-depth scholarship on privacy issues. FPF, led by founder and co-chair Christopher Wolf (who leads the privacy and data security law practice at Hogan & Hartson LLP) and co-chair and director Jules Polonetsky (formerly chief privacy officer of AOL) is known for its efforts to advance responsible data practices. FPF and GW Law will jointly present programs on privacy issues of scholarly interest, as well as address policy issues to government, businesses, and advocates. The partnership will also help support the Privacy Law Scholars Conference, an annual gathering of top privacy academics organized by GW Law and Berkeley School of Law.

“GW Law is one of the leading law schools in the country for privacy scholarship,” said Mr. Solove, professor and author of numerous books on privacy issues and policy. “At a time when privacy models are being debated by government and industry, this relationship will enhance the opportunities for faculty and students to participate in some of the most important privacy developments in our nation’s capital.”

As part of the new partnership, GW Law and FPF will host a series of public events and panel discussions throughout the year to explore a variety of different privacy issues. FPF will also provide fellowship opportunities for two GW Law students each summer. These students will research the privacy implications of issues posed by technologies such as behavioral profiling, mobile devices and smart grid technologies.

Mr. Polonetsky said, “FPF is focused on advancing responsible data practices in both the United States and abroad. This partnership will bring a greater visibility and more thorough discussion of the legal intricacies involved in privacy-related public policies.”

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that seeks to advance responsible data practices. The forum is led by internet privacy experts Jules Polonetsky and Christopher Wolf and includes an advisory board comprised of leading figures from industry, academia, law and advocacy groups. FPF was launched in November 2008, and is supported by AOL, AT&T, Deloitte, eBay, Facebook, Intel, Microsoft, The Nielsen Company, Verizon and Yahoo.

Established in 1865 and located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University Law School is the oldest law school in the District of Columbia. Accredited by the American Bar Association and a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools, the Law School enrolls approximately 2,000 students each year in its J.D. and LL.M. programs.

For media inquiries or interviews about this partnership, please email: [email protected]