One key method for ensuring privacy while processing large amounts of data is de-identification. De-identified data refers to data through which a link to a particular individual cannot be established. This often involves “scrubbing” the identifiable elements of personal data, making it “safe” in privacy terms while attempting to retain its commercial and scientific value.
In the era of big data, the debate over the definition of personal information, de-identification and re-identification has never been more important. Privacy regimes often rely on data being considered Personal in order to require the application of privacy rights and protections. Data that is anonymous is considered free of privacy risk and available for public use.
Yet much data that is collected and used exists somewhere on a spectrum between these stages. FPF’s De-ID Project has examined practical frameworks for applying privacy restrictions to data based on the nature of data that is collected, the risks of de-identification, and the additional legal and administrative protections that may be applied.
A Closer Look at Location Data: Privacy and Pandemics
In this series, Privacy and Pandemics, the Future of Privacy Forum explores the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis to existing ethical, privacy, and data protection frameworks, and will seek to provide information and guidance to companies and researchers interested in responsible data sharing to support public health response. Future posts will examine pandemic-tracking mobile […]
Navigating Privacy in a Data-Driven World
“What does it mean for people actually working with data, people monitoring data, people analyzing data, people selling data? What does it mean to actually be thinking about privacy as a human right?” Future of Privacy Forum CEO Jules Polonetsky posed these questions at the beginning of his keynote, Navigating Privacy in a Data-Driven World: […]
A New U.S. Model for Privacy? Comparing the Washington Privacy Act to GDPR, CCPA, and More
By Stacey Gray, Pollyanna Sanderson, and Katelyn Ringrose Download a printable version of this report (pdf). As Congress continues to work toward drafting and passing a comprehensive national privacy law, state legislators are not slowing down. In Washington State, a new comprehensive privacy law is moving quickly: last week, the Washington Privacy Act (SSB 6281) […]
It’s Raining Privacy Bills: An Overview of the Washington State Privacy Act and other Introduced Bills
By Pollyanna Sanderson (Policy Counsel), Katelyn Ringrose (Christopher Wolf Diversity Law Fellow) & Stacey Gray (Senior Policy Counsel) Today, on the first day of a rapid-fire 2020 legislative session in the state of Washington, State Senator Carlyle has introduced a new version of the Washington Privacy Act (WPA). Legislators revealed the Act during a live press […]
FPF Appoints Robbert van Eijk as Managing Director for Europe
FPF Expanding EU Programming BRUSSELS – October 1, 2019 – The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) today announced Robbert van Eijk as managing director for its operations in Europe. In this role, Eijk will implement FPF’s agenda in Europe, oversee its day-to-day operations, and manage relationships with stakeholders in industry, government, academia, and civil society. […]
CCPA 2.0? A New California Ballot Initiative is Introduced
Introduction On September 13, 2019, the California State Legislature passed the final CCPA amendments of 2019. Governor Newsom is expected to sign the recently passed CCPA amendments into law in advance of his October 13, 2019 deadline. Yesterday, proponents of the original CCPA ballot initiative released the text of a new initiative (The California Privacy […]
New Privacy Tech Industry Attracts Massive Funding
Privacy Tech Alliance connecting researchers and entrepreneurs to analysts, customers, VCs WASHINGTON – July 11, 2019 – One Trust’s announcement today of a $200 million Series A investment, which follows yesterday’s announcement by TrustArc of a $70 million Series D round, demonstrates the arrival of a new industry sector for privacy protection technologies. “Investors have […]
Sidewalk Labs Releases Detailed Plans for Collaboration with City of Toronto on Quayside Smart City Project, Including Proposed Privacy and Data Protection Framework
By: Suzie Allen Experts Highlight Data Protection Safeguards, Opportunities, and Risks “Master Innovation and Development Plan” will be Vetted by City Residents, Officials Last week, Sidewalk Labs unveiled its proposed “Master Innovation and Development Plan” (MIDP) for Sidewalk Toronto, a project that would design a smart city district in Toronto’s Eastern Waterfront. The proposal will […]
New Privacy Tech Alliance Promotes Innovative Privacy Technologies
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – June 25, 2019 – The Future of Privacy Forum and the Israel Tech Policy Institute are launching the Privacy Tech Alliance during CyberWeek 2019, to promote the market for privacy-protective technologies internationally, facilitate the development of new technologies, and maximize value for innovators and investors. “As the data ecosystem and regulatory requirements […]
Ethical and Privacy Protective Academic Research and Corporate Data
Is edtech helping or hindering student education? What effect does social media have on elections? What types of user interfaces help users manage privacy settings? Can the data collected by wearables inform health care? In almost every area of science, academic researchers are seeking access to personal data held by companies to advance their work. […]