
Artificial Intelligence: Privacy Promise or Peril?
Understanding AI and its underlying algorithmic processes presents new challenges for privacy officers and others responsible for data governance in companies ranging from retailers to cloud service providers. In the absence of targeted legal or regulatory obligations, AI poses new ethical and practical challenges for companies that strive to maximize consumer benefits while preventing potential harms.

FamilyTreeDNA Agreement with FBI Creates Privacy Risks
Company’s Deal with Law Enforcement Surprises Consumers and Is Out-of-Step with Industry Norms and Best Practices By John Verdi and Carson Martinez Last week, FamilyTreeDNA announced an agreement with the FBI to allow agents to test DNA samples from crime scenes, develop genetic profiles, and identify familial matches. This agreement marks the first time a […]

New FPF Study Documents More Than 150 European Companies Participating in the EU-US Data Transfer Mechanism
New FPF Study Documents More Than 150 European Companies Participating in the EU-US Data Transfer Mechanism EU Companies’ Participation Grew by One Third Over the Past Year By Jeremy Greenberg Yesterday, the European Commission published its second annual review of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, finding that “the U.S. continues to ensure an adequate level of […]

FPF Releases Understanding Facial Detection, Characterization, and Recognition Technologies and Privacy Principles for Facial Recognition Technology in Commercial Applications
These resources will help businesses and policymakers better understand and evaluate the growing use of face-based biometric technology systems when used for consumer applications. Facial recognition technology can help users organize and label photos, improve online services for visually impaired users, and help stores and stadiums better serve customers. At the same time, the technology often involves the collection and use of sensitive biometric data, requiring careful assessment of the data protection issues raised. Understanding the technology and building trust are necessary to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks.

Privacy Best Practices for Consumer Genetic Testing Services
The Best Practices provide a policy framework for the collection, protection, sharing, and use of Genetic Data generated by consumer genetic testing services. These services are commonly offered to consumers for testing and interpretation related to ancestry, health, nutrition, wellness, genetic relatedness, lifestyle, and other purposes.

Future of Privacy Forum and Leading Genetic Testing Companies Announce Best Practices to Protect Privacy of Consumer Genetic Data
Washington, DC – Today, Future of Privacy Forum, along with leading consumer genetic and personal genomic testing companies 23andMe, Ancestry, Helix, MyHeritage, and Habit, released Privacy Best Practices for Consumer Genetic Testing Services. The Best Practices provide a policy framework for the collection, protection, sharing, and use of Genetic Data generated by consumer genetic testing services. These services are commonly offered to consumers for testing and interpretation related to ancestry, health, nutrition, wellness, genetic relatedness, lifestyle, and other purposes.

Seeing the Big Picture on Smart TVs and Smart Home Tech
CES 2018 brought to light many exciting advancements in consumer technologies. Without a doubt, Smart TVs, Smart Homes, and voice assistants were dominant: LG has a TV that rolls up like a poster; Philips introduced a Google Assistant-enabled TV is designed for the kitchen; and Samsung revealed its new line of refrigerators, TVs, and other home devices powered by Bixby, their intelligent voice assistant.

Privacy Scholarship Research Reporter: Issue 3, December 2017 – 2017 Privacy Papers for Policymakers Award Winners
Notes from FPF On December 12, 2017, FPF announced the winners of our 8th Annual Privacy Papers for Policymakers (PPPM) Award. This Award recognizes leading privacy scholarship that is relevant to policymakers in the United States Congress, at U.S. federal agencies, and for data protection authorities abroad. In this special issue of the Scholarship Reporter, you […]

Privacy Papers 2017
The winners of the 2017 PPPM Award are: Artificial Intelligence Policy: A Primer and Roadmap by Ryan Calo, Associate Professor of Law, University of Washington Abstract: Talk of artificial intelligence is everywhere. People marvel at the capacity of machines to translate any language and master any game. Others condemn the use of secret algorithms to […]

Understanding Corporate Data Sharing Decisions: Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities for Sharing Corporate Data with Researchers
Today, the Future of Privacy Forum released a new study, Understanding Corporate Data Sharing Decisions: Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities for Sharing Corporate Data with Researchers. In this report, we aim to contribute to the literature by seeking the “ground truth” from the corporate sector about the challenges they encounter when they consider making data available for academic research. We hope that the impressions and insights gained from this first look at the issue will help formulate further research questions, inform the dialogue between key stakeholders, and identify constructive next steps and areas for further action and investment.