Jan. 24, 2012 – Big Week in Washington for Online Privacy Issues, Adweek
This week, which leads up to Data Privacy Day on Saturday, could be a big one for advancing online privacy policy in Washington, D.C., and globally. In keeping with the push to protect consumers’ personal data and privacy online, the Obama administration is expected to release its white paper on privacy, endorsing a “privacy bill of rights” and calling on companies to self-regulate by adopting codes of conduct.
On the other side of the pond, the European Commission on Wednesday will propose big changes to its 17-year-old European privacy policy directive, adopting regulation that by 2014 could require companies like Google and Facebook to obtain explicit consent from consumers before collecting and using their personal data.
Jan. 20, 2012 – FTC to probe privacy concerns with internet tech giants, Mobile Bloom
The Federal Trade Commission has warned that tech companies will be dealt with strictly if they violate user privacy and data security laws. In 2011, the FTC notified and resolved several such issues with Internet magnates Google, Facebook and Twitter after it came to the FTC’s notice that these companies had allowed user privacy to be breached. This year’s focus has shifted to smartphones and tablets, with the privacy watchdog having set its sights on gaining an insight into how user information in mobile products is handled by companies.
Green Button Privacy
The Future of Privacy Forum applauds today’s announcements by companies that are implementing the Administration’s plan for a Green Button to allow consumers access to the energy data. Providing consumers access to this data will set the stage for new services that provide consumers with more control over how they manage their power use and how they use devices and appliances.
Access to data provides transparency that enhances privacy, but access to data can also lead to privacy risks if data is shared inappropriately or misused. With responsible practices in place, companies that seek to use energy data on behalf of consumers can empower users by providing useable controls and privacy friendly options. FPF is pleased to be working with a number of companies, as well as the NIST Smart Grid Privacy Subgroup and the Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative on helping define consumer friendly smart grid research and practices.
Jan. 13, 2012 – New Consumer Research to be Released at Smart Grid Symposium, PR Newswire
ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Smart Grid Consumer Collaborative (SGCC), a nonprofit specializing in research and education on smart grid consumer engagement, announced that the second wave of findings from its Smart Grid Consumer Pulse research study will be released at the SGCC Consumer Symposium to be held January 23, 2012 at DistribuTECH in San Antonio. The findings, developed through telephone surveys of energy end-users nationwide, bring up to date industry knowledge of consumer opinion about smart grid and smart meters, with all research completed in November and December of 2011. Attendees of the symposium will be the first members of the smart grid community to learn the results.
Google Plus Social Search Privacy
I have been following the privacy concerns raised about Google Plus with interest and some skepticism. I can’t quite figure out where exactly data is being used in a way that would create an issue. I have two monitors on my desk, one on my left with my Google Plus circles displayed and one in front of me with the Google Search home page. On my left, I search for New Hampshire primary results on Google Plus and I see posts that are public and posts from folks who have me in their Circles. On my right, I search on Google for New Hampshire primary and see the usual Google Search results. The new Google Plus Social Search in effect combines these two screens. If I am logged in to Google Plus when I search on Google Search, my personal results will include links to posts available to me in my Google Plus network.
Nothing previously private becomes public and nothing previously public but obscure becomes more visible than before. Isn’t this precisely the way search should become more useful to me, leveraging data without exposing it in some unexpected way?
-Jules Polonetsky
12 pm Webinar: Recapping FPF's "Personal Information: The Benefits and Risks of De-Identification" Event
Please join Jules Polonetsky and Professor Khaled El Emam, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Canada Research Chair in Electronic Health Information, University of Ottawa, for a 12 pm Eastern webinar. Polonetsky and Professor El Emam will discuss highlights from FPF’s December 5, 2011 event on personal information and provide an analysis of the conference. Please click here to join the webinar.
To see complete panel videos from the day, please click here.
Jan. 12, 2012 – Seven tips for protecting personal data online, The Globe and Mail
Think protecting customer privacy is only an issue for business giants such as Facebook and Sony? Think again.
Many small companies have lost customer trust or even been sued over privacy mishaps in recent years. And they’re likely to face more problems as digital data files grow in size and importance.
Jan. 11, 2012 – The Circuit: FCC at CES, gadget privacy, Google’s social search, Washington Post
LEADING THE DAY: Today is a big policy day at CES, with panels addressing a range of technology policy issues. Federal Communications Chairman Julius Genachowski is also speaking today with the Consumer Electronics Association president, Gary Shapiro
Jan. 5, 2012 – Even Without Legislation, Privacy Will Be a Hot Issue in 2012, National Journal
While few expect Congress to pass broad privacy legislation, privacy will still get a lot of attention in 2012, starting with the release in the coming weeks of two highly anticipated federal reports providing guidance on protecting consumer privacy online.
FPF Comments on Proposed COPPA Rule
FPF submitted comments to the FTC on proposed amendments to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. FPF commends the FTC’s commitment to protect the privacy of children in a rapidly developing online marketplace. FPF’s comments focus on amendments affecting those areas that correspond with the organization’s specific expertise and experience, namely: (I) The proposal to modify the definition of “personal information”; (II) the proposed revisions directed to protecting the security, confidentiality and integrity of information collected from children; (III) geolocation issues; (IV) apps and platform issues; and (V) new parental consent mechanisms.
