Seeking Submissions for Privacy Papers for Policy Makers 2013
FPF is pleased to invite privacy scholars, professionals, and others with an interest in privacy issues to submit papers to be considered for inclusion in FPF’s annual edition of “Privacy Papers for Policy Makers.” The purpose of Privacy Papers for Policy Makers is to present policy makers with highlights of important research and analytical work […]
Looking at Privacy Protections for Facial Recognition
On Sunday, Google announced that it would not allow facial recognition applications on Google Glass until “strong privacy protections” were in place. But this announcement begs the very question: what sort of privacy protections can actually be put in place for this sort of technology? Thus far, concerns about facial recognition technology have appeared within the context […]
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, […]
What's Scary About Big Data, and How to Confront It
Any discussion surrounding the benefits–and the risks–presented by Big Data often focuses on the far-off future. The world of Minority Report is frequently invoked, but in the wake of April’s “Big Data Week,” it is time to recognize that Big Data is already here. In their recent book, Big Data: A Revolution that Will Transform […]
New Study Shows Need for De-identification Best Practices
Publically releasing sensitive information is risky. In 1997, Latanya Sweeney used full date of birth, 5 digit ZIP code, and gender to show that seemingly anonymous medical data could be linked to an actual person when she uncovered the health information of William Weld, the former governor of Massachusetts. Sweeney in a new study analyzes […]
Do Not Track Hearing Takeaways
Organized by Sen. Rockefeller (D-W. Virginia), who has repeatedly pushed for a “Do Not Track” law, yesterday’s Senate Commerce Commerce Committee hearing on Do Not Track (DNT) was billed as an opportunity for industry to provide senators with an update on how voluntary DNT standards were proceeding. Joined by Senators Blumenthal, Heller, McCaskill, and Thune, […]
Techworld: Our Internet Privacy is at risk – but not dead (yet)
With this year declared, “The Year of Privacy on Steroids” companies, policy makers and professional experts alike agree that privacy is essential but the real conversation on the matter is, where is the sliver lining? Future of Privacy Forum’s own, Jules Polonetsky, shared his own professional expertise on the topic specifically when it comes to companies tracking […]
Domestic Drones Should Embrace Privacy by Design
Ironically, the vocal public concern about drones actually combats one of the biggest challenges to implementing …
How Obscurity Could Help the Right To Fail
In a post on Policy@Intel, David Hoffman explains why Internet obscurity can help the “Right to Fail.” Absent providing individuals with “a sphere of privacy where they know they can make mistakes,” society may make it impossible for individuals to pursue ideas that “challenge the status quo” and are needed “to break away from conformity […]
Increasing Calls for a Big Data Dialog
Big Data promises to open new doors to curing diseases, cleaning the environment, and easing life’s burdens, but is it opening too many doors? Writing for The New York Times on Sunday, Steve Lohr suggested that the privacy challenges posed by Big Data are so large that it might trump any potential benefits. The surveillance […]