Addressing the privacy issues related to advertising technology and online tracking has been a key focus since FPF’s founding. Increasingly, the mobile advertising space, geo-location tracking, and indoor positioning technologies are at the forefront of online data management, retail, and new consumer offerings. Thus, it is not surprising that regulators, industry leaders, and advocates are taking a hard look at questions about how to appropriately collect and handle consumer data for advertising, location-based targeting, and audience measurement. Additionally, as public awareness of targeted and personalized advertising grows, organizations are pushed to deliver more helpful, relevant ads by less intrusive means. FPF curates a gallery of leading practices, provides up-to-date analysis of emerging and evolving technologies, convenes stakeholders in a monthly working group call, and works with policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to support leading privacy practices for the use of location data.
Evolving Enforcement Priorities in Times of Debate – Overview of Regulatory Strategies of European Data Protection Authorities for 2023 and Beyond
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum released a report that explores “Evolving enforcement priorities in times of debate – Overview of regulatory strategies of European Data Protection Authorities for 2023 and beyond.” It is the third in a series that explores European DPAs’ evolving regulatory priorities, following the 2021 Report “Insights into the Future of […]
State Legislators Prioritizing Privacy
Last week, The Council of State Governments (CSG) held its annual conference in Puerto Rico, bringing together bi-partisan state lawmakers from across the country to engage in thoughtful discourse and learn about issues impacting their constituents. Policy Fellow Jeremy Greenberg shares key privacy themes that resonated through the event: State legislators feel the need to […]
A Conversation with Christopher Wolf, Founder of FPF
Christopher Wolf is the founder and Board President of the Future of Privacy Forum and a leading attorney in privacy and data protection. Chris helped break the path for privacy law and the modern Internet. He has had a hand in advising and shaping thinking on many leading-edge tech issues including Internet free speech, Internet […]
The Future of Ad Tech: A Discussion with FPF's Stacey Gray
Almost everyone has had a similar experience: visiting a website to shop for a product and then having an advertisement for that product “follow” them around the internet. Most free content today, from social media to news, is funded by ads. In order to deliver those ads and measure their effectiveness, companies today rely heavily […]
A New Year’s Resolution For Your New Devices
A New Year’s Resolution For Your New Devices Still thinking about your New Year’s resolutions? If so, the Future of Privacy Forum has a practical suggestion: Get to know the privacy implications of your new electronics. Early in the New Year, take a few moments to set up privacy features so you can be comfortable […]
Empirical Research in the Internet of Things, Mobile Privacy, and Digital Advertising
In the world of consumer privacy, including the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile data, and advertising technologies (“Ad Tech”), it can often be difficult to measure real-world impact and conceptualize individual harms and benefits. Fortunately, academic researchers are increasingly focusing on these issues, leading to impressive scholarship from institutions such as the Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, UC Berkeley School of Information, and many others, including non-profits and think tanks.
Seeing the Big Picture on Smart TVs and Smart Home Tech
CES 2018 brought to light many exciting advancements in consumer technologies. Without a doubt, Smart TVs, Smart Homes, and voice assistants were dominant: LG has a TV that rolls up like a poster; Philips introduced a Google Assistant-enabled TV is designed for the kitchen; and Samsung revealed its new line of refrigerators, TVs, and other home devices powered by Bixby, their intelligent voice assistant.
The Top 10: Student Privacy News (April – May 2017)
The Future of Privacy Forum tracks student privacy news very closely, and shares relevant news stories with our newsletter subscribers.* Approximately every month, we post “The Top 10,” a blog with our top student privacy stories.
Regulating the Online Advertising Market: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing to examine the broad policy issues facing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Commissioners Pai, Clyburn, and O’Rielly outlined their priorities for the FCC, and answered questions about their proposed plans—including for the future of net neutrality and privacy of data collected online.
FTC Settles with Major Ad Platform for Deceptive Location Tracking via Wi-Fi
The FTC announced a settlement today with InMobi, a major advertising platform provider, for engaging in deceptive location tracking practices. As explained below, InMobi used alternative methods to collect location data from users, even after the users had chosen not to share their location in apps via Location Services.