Google Provides Open Source Platform for Beacon Security
After an initial splash, news about beacon technology has been fairly quiet recently, but last week an advancement was announced that will support easier access to privacy and security capabilities on this unique technology. Beacons are sometimes misunderstood – thought to collect or retain data on nearby people, or able to track smartphone movements without […]
Future of Privacy Forum Statement Regarding Electronic Frontier Foundation Student Privacy Complaint
In response to the allegations made today that Google has violated commitments of the Student Privacy Pledge (SPP), FPF Executive Director Jules Polonetsky issued the following statement: “We have reviewed the EFF complaint but do not believe it has merit. Chrome Sync is a setting within the control of the school IT administrator, and can […]
NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission Proposal Raises Privacy Concerns for Apps
On Monday, the Future of Privacy Forum joined with the Bill of Rights Defense Committee/Defending Dissent Foundation, Center for Democracy & Technology, The Constitution Project, and Electronic Frontier Foundation to write the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) about its proposed rules regarding For-Hire Vehicle dispatch apps. We were especially concerned with the requirement that […]
Rise of the Drones
This morning, the Center for Strategic and International Studies presented a panel conversation on some of the challenges – and opportunities – around domestic drone use. After following the issue for …
Beacons in Airports Provide Information for Travelers
Readers know we support responsible beacon technology practices. Today’s story illustrates how airports can provide real-time updates about travel plans, accommodations, and flights to travelers …
FTC Wants Tools to Increase Transparency and Trust in Big Data
However we want to define “Big Data” – and the FTC’s latest workshop on the subject suggests a consensus definition remains elusive – the path forward seems to call for more transparency and the establishment of firmer frameworks on the use of data. As Chairwoman Ramirez suggested in her opening remarks, Big Data calls for […]
Lessons from Fair Lending Law for Fair Marketing and Big Data
Lessons from Fair Lending Law for Fair Marketing and Big Data Where discrimination presents a real threat, big data need not necessary lead us to a new frontier. Existing laws, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and other fair lending laws, provide a number of protections that are relevant when big data is used for […]
Wall Street Journal: MLA-Driven Approach to Airport Wait Times
On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal published an article about long lines at U.S. customs in airports around the country, and what airlines are doing to shorten them. They include a spreadsheet where you can see the kind information that’s been collected thanks to Mobile Location Analytics (“MLA”) technology. This is just one example of […]
Joe Newman
Joe Newman is a legal and policy fellow at the Future of Privacy Forum. He works on a variety of issues involving Do Not Track standards, the US-EU Safe Harbor Agreement and the relationship between privacy and intellectual property. Prior to joining FPF, Joe worked at Public Knowledge, the Library of Congress, The Electronic Frontier […]
Domestic Drones Should Embrace Privacy by Design
Ironically, the vocal public concern about drones actually combats one of the biggest challenges to implementing …