Connected technologies and always-on data flows are helping make today’s cities and communities more livable, productive, and sustainable. At the same time, these technologies raise concerns about individual privacy, freedom of choice, and institutional discrimination. How do we leverage the benefits of a data-rich society while giving members of our community the confidence of knowing their privacy is protected? How can we address pressing local problems — from housing to highways, potholes to policing — and deliver public services in equitable, privacy-conscious ways?
Working collaboratively with public, private, academic, and civil society leaders, FPF builds tools and best practices to guide how cities and local communities collect, manage, and use personal data to improve services for individuals. A cornerstone of this work is FPF’s Civic Privacy Leaders Network, a peer network supported by the National Science Foundation that brings together privacy leaders from 30+ local governments across the U.S. and Canada to navigate emerging privacy issues, share practical guidance, and promote fair and transparent data practices.
Visit the Smart Communities Resources web page for a comprehensive list of FPF’s ongoing work in this area.
Talking Cars and the Internet of Things at TRUSTe's IoT Privacy Summit
Future of Privacy Forum is excited to partner with TRUSTe to provide attendees with a full day of case studies, workshops and panels at the second IoT Privacy Summit on June 17th in Menlo …
Moving the Internet of Things Forward Without Hard Numbers on Risks
Today’s release of the FTC’s long-awaited report on the Internet of Things concludes that connected devices are “likely to meld the virtual and physical worlds together in ways that are currently difficult to comprehend.” It’s this great unknown where it seems many of the revolutionary benefits and more abstract risks from connectivity lie. While the […]
Jules Polonetsky to Discuss the State of the World on Data Privacy
Tomorrow at 2 PM ET, Jules Polonetsky will be joining Christina Peters, IBM’s Chief Privacy Officer, for a live videochat to discuss data privacy. Specifically, the two will address challenges managing cross-border data issues as different countries pursue different approaches and regulations for emerging technologies, mobile, and the Internet of Things. The conversation will be […]
Comments for the FTC's Workshop on "Internet of Things"
FPF today offered comments to the FTC in advance of a public workshop on new security and privacy issues presented by growing networks of connected devices. Commonly referred to as the “Internet of Things,” these physical devices range from appliances and vehicles to our smart phones, and present an elaborate array of objects that capture, […]
PrivacySmart Seal Powered by TRUSTe Awards First Smart Grid Seal
The PowerTools app by Candi Controls is now available for customers to download on their mobile devices and it allows them to check energy use, set goals, and track patterns relating to energy use. Data is …
New Smart Grid Research Shows Last Generation Technologies Pose Privacy Risks
Researchers at the University of South Carolina have published research showing that some types of electrical meters are broadcasting unencrypted information …
Proposed Framework for a Policy Protecting Customer Information Privacy in Michigan
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) recently requested information and comments related to its proposed framework for a policy protecting customer information privacy. The Commission’s current rules, 1999 AC, R 460.101 et seq., Consumer Standards and Billing Practices for Residential Customers provide some limited protection of customer privacy with respect to billing information. The new […]
From Uruguay, Chris Wolf: Privacy and Technology in Balance
On Tuesday, October 23, FPF’s Chris Wolf was one of the first plenary speakers at the 34th Annual Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Authorities in Punta Del Este, Uruguay. Here is the text of his remarks: Privacy and Technology in Balance Thank you for the opportunity to present on behalf of the Future of Privacy […]
The Future of Privacy Forum and TRUSTe Launch a Smart Grid Privacy Seal Program
The Future of Privacy Forum and TRUSTe Launch a Smart Grid Privacy Seal Program Leaders in Government and Industry Voice Their Support WASHINGTON – The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), the Washington based think tank committed to advancing responsible data practices, today announced a first of its kind privacy seal program for companies that use consumer […]
Oct 1, 2012 – The Future of Privacy Forum and TRUSTe Launch a Smart Grid Privacy Seal Program
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), the Washington based think tank committed to advancing responsible data practices, today announced a first of its kind privacy seal program for companies that use consumer energy information. The seal will be powered by TRUSTe, the leading data privacy management company with over 5,000 customers.