Healthcare technologies are rapidly evolving, producing new data types and innovative data uses. Data and technology can bring significant enhancements to the healthcare system, deepen patients’ and consumers’ engagement and understanding about their health, and be used as part of initiatives meant to improve health outcomes. It is critical to analyze how sensitive health and wellness data affect individual privacy and understand what it means for doctors, researchers, and companies to responsibly use such data. The FPF health team continues to build on its prior work on Consumer Wearables and Wellness Apps and Devices and Privacy Best Practices for Consumer Genetic Testing Services by exploring and addressing issues at the forefront and intersection of health, data, and privacy. Of main focus are the privacy challenges related to the collection, use, and sharing of both medical data and data that falls outside of the scope of HIPAA and FDA regulations. FPF brings together stakeholders to analyze how new technologies and data practices in the health ecosystem can impact individual privacy and promote the more effective and ethical use of data.
FPF Statement on the Senior Chatbot Protection Bill
As artificial intelligence chatbots and voice assistants become increasingly integrated into the daily support networks of older adults, baseline consumer protections and transparency measures are essential to ensure these tools foster independence and interpersonal trust rather than introduce new risks. It is encouraging to see Congress recognizing the unique intersections of privacy and data protections, […]
Mandating “Evidence-Based” Suicide Detection in Chatbots
Co-authored by Sarah Hanson, FPF Health & Wellness Intern This article discusses suicidal ideation, which may be distressing for some readers. (If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988 Lifeline for free, confidential, 24/7 support.) As many […]
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, […]
Third Time’s the Charm: Connecticut Enacts Annual Privacy Update
The Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA) has been revised multiple times since being enacted in 2022: SB 3 added heightened protections for consumer health data and for minors in 2023; and SB 1295 in 2025 expanded the law’s scope, updated and added consumer rights, modified the data minimization and purpose limitation requirements, prescribed impact assessment […]
From Proposal to Passage: Enacted U.S. AI Laws, 2023–2025
Over the past three years, lawmakers across the United States have increasingly enacted AI-related laws that shape the development and deployment of AI systems. Between 2023 and 2025, the Future of Privacy Forum tracked 27 pieces of enacted AI-related legislation across 14 states, along with one federal law (the TAKE IT DOWN Act) that carry […]
Five Big Questions (and Zero Predictions) for the U.S. Privacy and AI Landscape in 2026
Introduction For better or worse, the U.S. is heading into 2026 under a familiar backdrop: no comprehensive federal privacy law, plenty of federal rumblings, and state legislators showing no signs of slowing down. What has changed is just how intertwined privacy, youth, and AI policy debates have become, whether the issue is sensitive data, data-driven […]
Future of Privacy Forum Appoints Matthew Reisman as Vice President of U.S. Policy
Washington, D.C. — (December 9, 2025) — The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), a global non-profit focused on data protection, AI, and data governance, has appointed Matthew Reisman as Vice President, U.S. Policy. Reisman brings extensive experience in privacy policy, data protection, and AI governance to FPF. He most recently served as a Director of […]
FPF Holiday Gift Guide for AI-Enabled, Privacy-Forward AgeTech
On Cyber Monday, giving supportive technology to an older loved one or caregiver is a great option. Finding the perfect holiday gift for an older adult who values their independence can be a challenge. This year, it might be worth exploring the exciting world of AI-enabled AgeTech. It’s not only gadgets; it’s also about giving […]
“Personality vs. Personalization” in AI Systems: Intersection with Evolving U.S. Law (Part 3)
This post is the third in a series on personality versus personality in AI systems. Read Part 1 (exploring concepts) and Part 2 (concrete uses and risks). Conversational AI technologies are hyper-personalizing. Across sectors, companies are focused on offering personalized experiences that are tailored to users’ preferences, behaviors, and virtual and physical environments. These […]
Tech to Support Older Adults and Caregivers: Five Privacy Questions for Age Tech
Introduction As the U.S. population ages, technologies that can help support older adults are becoming increasingly important. These tools, often called “AgeTech”, exist at the intersection of health data, consumer technology, caregiving relationships, and increasingly, artificial intelligence, and are drawing significant investment. Hundreds of well funded start-ups have launched. Many are of major interest to […]