Across the United States, evolving data collection and processing practices and advances in artificial intelligence are driving new digital services, technologies, and socially beneficial research – while also raising new opportunities, risks, and questions for individuals and communities. In response, state and federal policymakers are considering new legislative and regulatory frameworks on three interconnected fronts: comprehensive consumer privacy laws that establish baseline rights and protections for personal data across the economy; frameworks that target specific sectors and practices such as automated decisionmaking, biometric identification, companion chatbots, data-driven pricing, data brokerage, frontier AI model safety, genetic data, and health data; and youth-specific privacy and online safety laws that set distinct rules for minors. These three tracks rarely stay in their lanes: a comprehensive privacy law may include AI provisions, an AI safety bill may carve out rules for minors, a youth online safety law may hinge on biometric age verification. Understanding the landscape requires understanding both the individual pieces and how they fit together.
FPF’s U.S. Legislation team provides expert, independent, pragmatic analysis of state and federal legislative and regulatory approaches to privacy, AI, and youth online safety – three distinct but increasingly intertwined issue areas. The team tracks emerging proposals, compares new laws against existing frameworks, analyzes implementation and compliance implications, and helps policymakers and stakeholders understand how legal requirements interact with current technologies, business practices, and data uses.
Through reports, blog posts, legislative and policy analyses, webinars, in-person and virtual peer-to-peer gatherings, and educational programs, FPF helps the broader technology policy and governance community understand the mechanisms and strategies available to protect privacy, promote responsible AI development and deployment, and advance youth online safety. FPF does not typically support or oppose particular bills. Instead, the U.S. Legislation team focuses on explaining the practical and legal implications of proposals – individually and as they interact with one another. This work helps ensure that privacy, AI, and youth safety compliance and policy strategies remain future-looking, adaptable, and workable for the continued, beneficial use of data and AI.
FPF’s U.S. Legislation team is led by Tatiana Rice, Senior Director.
Featured
FPF Submits Comments to Inform Colorado Automated Decision-Making Technology and Chatbot Rulemaking Processes
On July 13, FPF submitted comments in response to the Colorado Department of Justice’s (the Department’s) pre-rulemaking process for the Colorado Automated Decision-making Act (SB 189) and the Chatbot Safety Act (HB 1263). As lawmakers continue to calibrate a proportionate approach to consumer protection from risks of AI-related harms, Colorado’s two new laws each take […]
FPF Releases New Issue Brief on U.S. “Data Broker” Regulatory Landscape
Data brokers have been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent years, including through critical media coverage, public hearings, private lawsuits, regulatory enforcement actions, and new state and federal regulatory frameworks. Despite all this public attention, there is little consensus as to who is a “data broker,” what risks and benefits are associated with data […]
FPF Submits Comments to Inform California Children’s Social Media Protections Rulemaking Process
Co-authored by Jack Maketa, U.S. Legislation Intern On June 30, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) submitted comments in response to the California Department of Justice’s (the Department’s) ongoing rulemaking process for the “Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act” (the Act or SB 976). Signed into law in 2024, SB 976 bars operators […]
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 […]
Data Brokers & Beyond: Navigating New Jersey’s Data Broker & “Data Collector” Registration Law
Co-authored with Kelly Brandmeyer, FPF U.S. Policy Intern In a two-day span from June 28 to June 30, the New Jersey legislature introduced and passed A5328, amending New Jersey’s comprehensive privacy law and establishing new data broker and “data collector” registration requirements. The new data broker law has a uniquely broad scope and high financial […]
FPF’s 2026 DC Privacy Forum: Leading Voices in AI, Privacy and Emerging Technology
By Paige Garvin, FPF Communications Intern The Future of Privacy Forum hosted its third annual DC Privacy Forum: Advancing Principled Data Protection, AI, and Digital Governance Practices on June 10th, 2026. This year’s Forum gathered government officials, academics, civil society representatives, and privacy professionals to discuss developments in AI governance, privacy regulation, youth online safety, […]
Understanding Data Embassies and Corridors
The following is a guest post to the FPF blog authored by Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive of the Singapore Academy of Law and FPF Senior Fellow. The guest post reflects the opinion of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the position or views of FPF and our stakeholder communities. FPF provides this […]
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, […]
Future of Privacy Forum Releases Comprehensive Report On Algorithmic Personalization in Youth Online Experiences
As policymakers continue to debate youth online safety regulations, a new FPF report assesses the role of data-driven personalization and its implications for emerging policy and product design WASHINGTON, D.C. — (June 10, 2026) — The Future of Privacy Forum — a global non-profit focused on data protection, AI, and emerging technologies —today released Personalization […]
Frontier AI Goes Federal: How the Great American AI Act Compares to State Laws
Introduction It has been an unusually active few weeks for AI safety policy. Following a new frontier model safety bill passed in Illinois, and a White House executive order on AI security, Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) released a bipartisan discussion draft for the Great American AI Act of 2026, adding […]