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.
ADPPA Would Surpass California’s Laws, but Improvements Remain
The American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA) was passed through the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 20, a proposal which experts and advocates agree is long overdue. However, objections from California leaders may threaten the bill’s passage. Stacey Gray, the FPF’s Director of Legislative Research & Analysis, argues otherwise in a new […]
ADPPA Helps Protect Civil Rights for All Americans
Today, The Hill published an op-ed from the Future of Privacy Forum’s (FPF) Senior Policy Counsel for Data, Decision Making, and Artificial Intelligence Bertram Lee. The piece highlighted that privacy, particularly in the context of digital services, electronic data flows, and personal data, is a civil right. Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted […]
FPF Files Comments on Colorado Privacy Act Pre-Rulemaking Activity
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) filed comments with the Colorado Department of Law regarding forthcoming rulemaking under the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA). The CPA, which goes into effect in July 2023, will establish important new data privacy rights, controls, and protections for individuals in Colorado. FPF’s comments are directed toward ensuring that forthcoming […]
Future of Privacy Forum and Israel Tech Policy Institute Cyber Week Delegation, 2022
Last week, The Future of Privacy Forum’s (FPF) Israel Tech Policy Institute (ITPI) welcomed a delegation of trailblazing privacy professionals from around the world to participate in Tel Aviv University’s Cyber Week conference and to meet with start-ups, regulators, and academics. The week started with an illuminating tour of the Peres Center for Peace & […]
California Age-Appropriate Design Code Aims to Address Growing Concern About Children’s Online Privacy and Safety
Authors: Chloe Altieri, Kewa Jiang Kewa Jiang, CIPP/US, is a 2021 graduate of USC Gould School of Law and a Student Contractor with FPF’s Youth and Education Privacy team. On May 26, 2022, AB-2273, the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (ADCA) unanimously passed the California Assembly and moved to the Senate for consideration. California Assembly […]
FPF Testifies Before House Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, Supporting Congress’s Efforts on the “American Data Privacy and Protection Act”
This week, FPF’s Senior Policy Counsel Bertram Lee testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce hearing, “Protecting America’s Consumers: Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Data Privacy and Security” regarding the bipartisan, bicameral privacy discussion draft bill, “American Data Privacy and Protection Act” (ADPPA). FPF has a history of supporting […]
FPF Releases Policy Brief Comparing Federal Child Privacy Bills
On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a markup of two bills this resource highlights: The Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). The Committee advanced both bills with significant amendments. Both bills garnered bipartisan support, with the Kids Online Safety […]
When is a Biometric No Longer a Biometric?
In October 2021, the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) published a Request for Information (RFI) regarding uses, harms, and recommendations for biometric technologies. Over 130 entities responded to the RFI, including advocacy organizations, scientists, experts in healthcare, lawyers, and technology companies. While most commenters agreed on core concepts of biometric technologies used […]
FPF Weighs in on Automated Decisionmaking, Purpose Limitation, and Global Opt-Outs for California Stakeholder Sessions
This week, Future of Privacy Forum policy experts provided testimony in California public Stakeholder Sessions to provide independent policy recommendations for the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA). The Agency heard from a variety of speakers and members of the public, on a broad range of issues relevant to forthcoming rulemaking on the California Privacy Rights […]
Party of Five: Connecticut Poised to Pass Fifth U.S. State Privacy Law, Improving Upon Virginia, Colorado
This week, the Connecticut legislature passed Senate Bill 6, an ‘Act Concerning Personal Data Privacy and Online Monitoring.’ If SB 6 is enacted by Governor Lamont, Connecticut will follow California, Virginia, Colorado, and Utah as the fifth U.S. state to adopt a baseline regime for the governance of personal data. The law would come into […]