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Privacy

As every sector of the global economy and nearly every facet of modern society undergo digital transformation, ITIF advocates for policies that spur not just the development of IT innovations, but more importantly their adoption and use throughout the economy. ITIF's work focuses on protecting people’s privacy and safeguarding personal information without stifling the innovation and commerce needed to drive a robust Internet ecosystem.

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Maintaining a Light-Touch Approach to Data Protection in the United States

Maintaining a Light-Touch Approach to Data Protection in the United States

Data privacy regulations impose significant costs on businesses and the economy. Effective, targeted federal legislation would address actual privacy harms while reducing costs that hinder productivity and innovation.

The Looming Cost of a Patchwork of State Privacy Laws

The Looming Cost of a Patchwork of State Privacy Laws

In the absence of a federal privacy law, a growing patchwork of state laws burdens companies with multiple, duplicative compliance costs. The out-of-state costs from 50 such laws could exceed $1 trillion over 10 years, with at least $200 billion hitting small businesses.

More Publications and Events

April 6, 2023|Events

What Are the Consequences of Backdoors for Online Privacy?

Join ITIF's Center for Data Innovation to discuss the potential benefits and costs of end-to-end encryption and what law enforcement access to user data could look like in the future.

March 27, 2023|Blogs

The Impending Patchwork of Privacy Is Bad for Business and Consumers

With five state privacy laws coming into effect this year and 19 states actively considering new bills, the future of American privacy could end up as an expensive patchwork of 50 or more different laws, where an individual’s privacy rights vary depending on where they live.

March 22, 2023|Blogs

Excluding Teenagers From Online Services Stifles the Development of the Metaverse

In recent weeks, lawmakers have introduced legislation to ban or heavily restrict teenagers’ use of social media. But these bills will not keep teenagers safe from online harm, and they will severely stifle the development of the metaverse—an emerging immersive digital space that offers new opportunities for learning, working, and socializing.

March 15, 2023|Blogs

Utah Law to Protect Children’s Privacy Will Violate Everyone’s Privacy

Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill into law that will require minors to obtain parental consent to use social media. Social media platforms will have to verify the ages of all users in Utah and restrict access to anyone under the age of 18 without their parents’ permission. This will require all Utahns, not just those under 18, to give up their personal information as a condition of using social media, violating everyone’s privacy in the name of protecting children.

March 6, 2023|Reports & Briefings

Balancing Privacy and Innovation in Smart Cities and Communities

Smart city technology could modernize local government services and improve residents’ quality of life. To reap these benefits and maintain public trust, cities and communities need to balance the interests of innovation and privacy.

March 6, 2023|Testimonies & Filings

Comments to the NTIA Regarding Privacy, Equity, and Civil Rights

The federal government should consider the unintended consequences for the communities it aims to protect with privacy regulation.

March 2, 2023|Blogs

Congress Needs to Understand How Online Ads Work to Pass Data Privacy Legislation

As Congress continues to debate federal data privacy legislation, it is important that it understands how online advertising works, so as not to unintentionally harm the Internet ecosystem.

February 17, 2023|Blogs

Equifax Settlement Previews Likely Outcome if Congress Creates a Data Privacy Law Allowing Class Action Lawsuits

If a new federal data privacy law includes a broad private right of action that allows for class action lawsuits, these lawsuits would likely play out very similarly to the Equifax case.

February 7, 2023|Events

What Will It Take for Congress to Pass Bipartisan Privacy Legislation?

Watch the discussion about the progress Congress has made in crafting bipartisan privacy legislation, the ADPPA’s current legislative status, and the remaining areas of debate regarding the legislation.

February 1, 2023|Op-Eds & Commentary

Congress Should Stop the Impending Patchwork of Online Safety Laws

Louisiana’s new age verification law, which requires websites that host “material harmful to children” to verify the age of their users, should raise red flags for those concerned about safety and speech online. Allowing one state to dictate online rules will likely lead to 50 different standards, creating a byzantine patchwork of digital rules for businesses and consumers.

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