Across the United States, evolving data collection and processing practices are driving digital services and socially beneficial research, but also pose increasing risks to individuals and communities that America’s existing sectoral privacy frameworks are insufficient to govern. In response, leaders in law and policy are considering more comprehensive approaches to privacy regulation, which establish baseline rights and protections for personal data throughout the economy. Years of negotiations in Congress culminated in the introduction of the bipartisan American Data Privacy and Protection Act in 2022; however, its fate remains uncertain. In the absence of federal legislation, five U.S. states—California, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, and Connecticut— enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws between 2018-2022.
The Future of Privacy Forum provides expert, independent analysis of legislative and regulatory approaches to protecting data privacy interests. FPF does not typically support or oppose particular bills, but instead focuses on analyzing proposals in relation to existing privacy frameworks, sharing information on current data practices and technologies, and ensuring that data governance strategies are future-looking and adaptable.
FPF also engages with the broader privacy community through reports, blog posts, webinars, and educational programs such as the CPRA Law + Tech Series. It is our view that robust and durable policy outcomes can be achieved when all stakeholders are equipped to understand the key technologies, business practices, and legal mechanisms available to regulate privacy and data protection. FPF’s legislation work is led by Keir Lamont, Director.
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 […]
U.S. Legislative Trends in AI-Generated Content: 2024 and Beyond
Standing in front of the U.S. flag and dressed as Uncle Sam, Taylor Swift proudly proclaims that you should vote for Joe Biden for President. She then wants you to vote for Donald Trump in a nearly identical image circulated by former President Trump himself. Both the images, and the purported sentiments, are fabricated, the […]
Do LLMs Contain Personal Information? California AB 1008 Highlights Evolving, Complex Techno-Legal Debate
By Jordan Francis, Beth Do, and Stacey Gray, with thanks to Dr. Rob van Eijk and Dr. Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna for their contributions. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1008 into law on September 28, amending the definition of “personal information” under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to provide that personal information can […]
Future of Privacy Forum Convenes Over 200 State Lawmakers in AI Policy Working Group Focused on 2025 Legislative Sessions
The Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group (MAP-WG) is convened by FPF to help state lawmakers from more than 45 states to collaborate on emerging technologies and related policy issues. OCTOBER 21, 2024 — In the lead-up to the 2025 legislative session, FPF is excited to convene the expanded Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group (MAP-WG)—a bipartisan […]
Synthetic Content: Exploring the Risks, Technical Approaches, and Regulatory Responses
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) released a new report, Synthetic Content: Exploring the Risks, Technical Approaches, and Regulatory Responses, which analyzes the various approaches being pursued to address the risks associated with “synthetic” content – material produced by generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. As more people use generative AI to create synthetic content, […]
Out, Not Outed: Privacy for Sexual Health, Orientations, and Gender Identities
Co-authored by: Judy Wang (FPF Intern), Jeter Sison (FPF Intern), Jordan Wrigley (FPF Data and Policy Analyst, Health & Wellness) On National Coming Out Day, it’s important to recognize that Coming Out is a right of passage for many LGBTQ+ individuals and a decision that they should be empowered to make for themselves. Protections for […]
FPF Submits Comments to Inform New York Children’s Privacy Rulemaking Processes
At the end of the 2024 legislative session, New York State passed a pair of bills aimed at creating heightened protections for children and teens online. One, the New York Child Data Protection Act (NYCDPA), applies to a broad range of online services that are “primarily directed to children.” The NYCDPA creates novel substantive data […]
FPF Unveils Report on Emerging Trends in U.S. State AI Regulation
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) launched a new report—U.S. State AI Legislation: A Look at How U.S. State Policymakers Are Approaching Artificial Intelligence Regulation— analyzing recent proposed and enacted legislation in U.S. states. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in daily life and critical sectors like healthcare and employment, state lawmakers have […]
Call for Nominations: 15th Annual Privacy Papers for Policymakers Award
Future of Privacy Forum Award Elevates Privacy Research to Inform Policy Discussion September 9, 2024 —The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) invites scholars and authors with an interest in privacy issues to submit finished papers to be considered for its 15th annual Privacy Papers for Policymakers (PPPM) Awards. The award provides privacy and data protection […]
FPF Highlights Intersection of AI, Privacy, and Civil Rights in Response to California’s Proposed Employment Regulations
On July 18, the Future of Privacy Forum submitted comments to the California Civil Rights Council (Council) in response to their proposed modifications to the state Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) regarding automated-decision systems (ADS). As one of the first state agencies in the U.S. to advance modernized employment regulations to account for automated-decision […]