Research often requires using sensitive data to answer important questions. The ethical collection and analysis of personal information can be challenging to do while still protecting the privacy of the implicated individuals, honoring informed consent, and complying with other legal obligations. The technology, policies, and ethical considerations for researchers are constantly shifting, sometimes making it difficult to keep up. That’s why FPF engages stakeholders across academia and industry to produce recommendations, best practices, and ethical review structures that promote responsible research. Our work is centered around streamlining, encouraging, and promoting responsible research that respects essential privacy and ethical considerations throughout the research lifecycle. FPF works with policymakers to develop legislative protections that support effective, responsible research with strong privacy safeguards, including hosting events that allow policymakers and regulators to engage directly with practitioners from academia, advocacy, and industry.
FPF also has an Ethics and Data in Research Working Group. This group receives late-breaking analysis of emerging legislation affecting research and data, meets to discuss the ethical and technological challenges of conducting research, and collaborates to create best practices to protect privacy, decrease risk, and increase data sharing for research, partnerships, and infrastructure. Learn more and join here.
AI Forward: FPF’s Annual DC Privacy Forum Explores Intersection of Privacy and AI
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) hosted its inaugural DC Privacy Forum: AI Forward on Wednesday, June 5th. Industry experts, policymakers, civil society, and academics explored the intersection of data, privacy, and AI. In Washington, DC’s southwest Waterfront at the InterContinental, participants joined in person for a full-day program consisting of keynote panels, AI talks, […]
Navigating Cross-Border Data Transfers in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC): Analyzing Legal Developments from 2021 to 2023
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) published an Issue Brief comparatively analyzing cross-border data transfer provisions in new data protection laws in the Asia-Pacific. Titled Navigating Cross-Border Data Transfers in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC): Analyzing Legal Developments from 2021 to 2023, the Issue Brief outlines key developments in cross-border data transfers in the Asia-Pacific […]
New Report Promotes Accountability-Based Approach to Data Protection in the APAC Region
In recent years, there has been an uptick in new (comprehensive) data protection laws in the Asia Pacific (APAC). This trend introduces challenges for cross-border compliance, particularly for the industry, legal practitioners, and the community of data protection regulators. As a result of the difficulties, these stakeholders acknowledge that there is a need for greater […]
New Report on Limits of “Consent” in South Korea’s Data Protection Law
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and Asian Business Law Institute (ABLI) – as part of their ongoing joint research project: “From Consent-Centric Data Protection Frameworks to Responsible Data Practices and Privacy Accountability in Asia Pacific” – are publishing a second report in their series of detailed jurisdiction reports on the status of “consent” […]
The Significance of Inclusion in Clinical Trials and Medical Research Databases
Our colleagues at the Israel Tech Policy Institute (ITPI) published a thoughtful blog on the significance of diversity and inclusion in clinical trials and health and medical research databases. They discuss the imperative of being represented in data, for one’s existence to be recognized and considered. When such data is the building block for a […]
Brussels Privacy Symposium 2021 Report
On November 16, 2021, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the Brussels Privacy Hub of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) hosted the Brussels Privacy Symposium 2021 – The Age of AI Regulation: Global Strategic Directions. The event, convened by Jules Polonetsky, CEO of FPF, Christopher Kuner and Gianclaudio Malgieri, Co-Chairs of the Brussels Privacy Hub […]
New FPF Report: Demystifying Data Localization in China – A Practical Guide
On February 21, 2022, FPF published a report detailing China’s data governance framework for data localization and cross-border transfers. The report outlines 10 steps organizations can take before deciding to localize or transfer data, with practical advice on how to carry out each of them. By examining provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations passed […]
2020 Brussels Privacy Symposium
The 2020 Brussels Privacy Symposium is the fourth-annual academic program jointly presented by the Brussels Privacy Hub of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and is a global convening of practical, applicable, substantive privacy research and scholarship. On December 2, 2020, the fourth iteration of the Brussels Privacy Symposium, “Research and the Protection of […]
FPF Best Practices and Contract Guidelines Help Companies Share Data with Academic Researchers
Does your company have data that could help academic researchers unravel the mysteries of human health, behavior, education, or other areas of study? Data held by private organizations has the potential to lead to scientific insights that can benefit society and improve lives – if it can be accessed in a responsible manner that respects […]
The European Commission Considers Amending the General Data Protection Regulation to Make Digital Age of Consent Consistent
The European Commission published a Communication on its mandated two-year evaluation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on June 24, 2020 in which it discusses as a future policy development “the possible harmonisation of the age of children consent in relation to information society services.” Notably, harmonizing the age of consent for children across […]