Biometric technology has long been used for security and law enforcement purposes such as national security watch lists, passport controls, criminal fingerprint databases, and immigration processing. Now, however, the private sector increasingly uses these systems as a verification method for authentication that previously required a PIN or password. Apple’s decision to include a fingerprint scanner in the iPhone in 2013 brought new public awareness to possible non-law-enforcement applications of biometric technologies, and the company’s shift to facial recognition access in the most recent models further normalized the concept. Biometric technology continues to be adopted in many sectors, including financial services, transportation, health care, computer systems and facility access, and voting. In many cases, this technology is more efficient, less expensive, and easier to use than traditional alternatives, while also eliminating the need for passwords, which are broadly recognized as an insufficiently secure safeguard for user data. However, as with any digital system, there are privacy concerns around the collection, use, storage, sharing, and analysis of the data that are generated by these systems.
Perseverance Pays Off for Vermont Privacy Efforts
Vermont has become the 23rd U.S. state to enact a comprehensive consumer privacy law after Governor Scott signed S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act (VDPOSA), on June 16. This new law is amongst the broadest in the country, closely resembling the 2025 version of the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA). For example, […]
Privacy Becomes You, Bayou State: A Look at the Louisiana Data Privacy Act
Louisiana has become the 22nd U.S. state to enact a comprehensive consumer privacy law—and the third this year following Oklahoma and Alabama—after Governor Landry signed the Louisiana Data Privacy Act (LDPA) (SB 386) on May 29. Overall, this is a fairly standard state privacy law that follows the Washington Privacy Act framework apart from the law’s […]
The Alabama Personal Data Protection Act Brings Consumer Privacy to the Heart of Dixie
We had to wait almost two years between when the 19th and 20th state comprehensive privacy laws were enacted, but the gap between the 20th and 21st proved to be a mere month. Governor Ivey signed HB 351, the Alabama Personal Data Protection Act (APDPA) into law on April 16. While this law is based […]
FPF Releases Infographic Highlighting the Spectrum of AI in Education
To highlight the wide range of current use cases for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and future possibilities and constraints, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) today released a new infographic, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Key Concepts and Uses. While generative AI tools that can write essays, generate and alter images, and engage with students […]
FPF Unveils Report on the Anatomy of State Comprehensive Privacy Law
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) launched a new report—Anatomy of State Comprehensive Privacy Law: Surveying the State Privacy Law Landscape and Recent Legislative Trends. By distilling this broad landscape to identify the “anatomy” of state comprehensive privacy law, this report highlights the strong commonalities and the nuanced differences between the various laws, showing […]
Regulatory Strategies of Data Protection Authorities in the Asia-Pacific Region: 2024, and Beyond
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape for data protection regulation. As digital economies flourish and cross-border data flows intensify, data protection authorities (DPAs) across the region are grappling with complex challenges posed by technological advancements, changing business practices, and evolving societal expectations regarding privacy. This Report provides a […]
Top Six Major Privacy Enforcement Trends: A U.S. Legislation Retrospective
Enforcement activity intensifies as U.S. consumer privacy laws continue to evolve and come into effect. In 2023 and 2024 alone, there have been dozens of enforcement actions at the U.S. federal and state levels, some of which reveal or touch on significant throughlines for privacy policy issues, such as what constitutes a privacy violation or […]
FPF in 2023: A Year in Review
As 2023 comes to an end, we want to reflect on a year that saw the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) continue to expand its presence globally and domestically while organizing engaging events, publishing thought-provoking analysis, providing the latest expert updates, and more. FPF continues to convene industry experts, academics, consumer advocates, and other experts […]
FPF Weighs In on the Responsible Use and Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in New York City Classrooms
Last week, Future of Privacy Forum provided testimony at a joint public oversight hearing before the New York City Council Committees on Technology and Education on “The Role of Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technology, and Computer Instruction in New York City Public Schools.” Specifically, FPF urged the Council to consider the following recommendations for the responsible adoption […]
FPF in 2022: A Year in Review
As 2022 comes to an end, we wanted to reflect on a year that saw the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) expand its presence both domestically and around the globe, while producing engaging events, thought-provoking analysis, and insightful publications. Global Expansion In 2022, FPF closely followed and advised upon significant developments in Asia, the European […]