Concord Privacy News: 10/2/24
Senate Committee Advocates for Federal Privacy Law
On September 17th at Forum Global's 6th Annual Data Privacy Conference, members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation emphasized the growing need for comprehensive federal privacy legislation. They outlined three key reasons for urgency:
- To assert global leadership on privacy, supporting U.S. business and innovation. A U.S. privacy law is crucial for maintaining America's global leadership in innovation and technology. The lack of a comprehensive privacy framework has put U.S. businesses at a disadvantage in the global digital economy and created uncertainty in cross-border data transfers.
- To respond to overwhelming public demand for privacy protections. Recent polls reveal an overwhelming and bipartisan call for stronger data privacy laws in the United States. A 2024 U.S. News and World Report survey found that 84% of Americans support stricter federal data privacy legislation. This sentiment crosses party lines, with a 2023 Pew Research Center study showing 68% of Republicans and 78% of Democrats in favor of increased privacy regulation. These findings highlight the increasing pressure on Congress to address data privacy concerns, suggesting that public demand for action will only intensify in the coming years.
- To address accelerating privacy and data concerns due to AI advancements. The rapid advancement of AI, which can now infer detailed behavioral patterns and sensitive information from online and offline activities, has dramatically intensified the need for robust privacy protections. Senator members highlighted that most consumers are unaware of the extent to which their data is being analyzed, stating that "No data point is too insignificant", pointing out that AI's capability to derive sensitive insights from formerly mundane information has raised the stakes in the privacy debate. They noted a growing consensus among technology leaders and privacy advocates: as AI continues to evolve, the need for comprehensive privacy legislation becomes increasingly critical. This shift in technological landscape underscores the urgency of implementing stronger data protection measures to safeguard consumer privacy in the AI era.
Senate members expressed confidence that Congress can enact such legislation, highlighting its importance for the future of data privacy in America. Concord will be monitoring these efforts at the federal level.
Other Privacy News of Note
LinkedIn’s 930 Million Users Unknowingly Train AI, Sparking Data Privacy Concerns
LinkedIn has thrust its 930 million users into an unexpected role: unwitting AI trainers, igniting a firestorm over data privacy and consumer trust. The professional networking giant’s recent User Agreement and Privacy Policy update, which will take effect on Nov. 20, has caused concern in the business community. LinkedIn admitted it has been using users’ data to train its AI without consent, and while users can opt out of future training, there’s no way to undo past data use. Read more.
Privacy Reform Underway in Australia with Introduction of New OAIC Privacy Bill
The long process of overhauling Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 has hit a significant landmark with the introduction of a bill that increases the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)’s powers and responsibilities. This is the first of a planned set of privacy reforms to update the country’s primary piece of legislation protecting the handling of personal information. Read more.