Linking Specialists to Advance Privacy-Protecting Technology and Artificial Intelligence for All Users
The Research Coordination Network (RCN) for Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing and Analytics was launched on July 9th by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), marking a significant step towards the global momentum behind Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs). This network aims to facilitate discussions and collaborations between experts and regulators to address the challenges and opportunities presented by PETs.
The launch event was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's Secretary of War Suite, attended by senior representatives from companies, government, civil society, and academia. The focus of the discussion was on the role of government in supporting business cases for PETs, recognising their potential to balance data utility with privacy protection.
One of the key issues highlighted during the discussion was the need for regulatory clarity around PETs. Experts expressed a need for understanding legal and technical obligations for organisations using PETs, as well as the requirements regulators need to see to support the development of PETs. They also sought clarification on the legal definitions of de-identification or anonymization when using PETs.
The FPF RCN aims to explore various mechanisms for PETs deployment, including new technology, legal and regulatory frameworks, and standards and certifications. The network plans to hold an in-person event in Washington, D.C., 18 months from the RCN launch, for an in-depth working session.
Public trust and consumer advocacy regarding PETs are considered crucial. There is a need for broader dissemination of PETs expertise beyond academia and big tech. To this end, the FPF RCN encourages subject matter experts on PETs or those using PETs to sign up and contribute to their future use and regulation.
The economic and other forms of feasibility of PETs were also discussed, with deployment and operational costs being highlighted as potential issues. The FPF RCN will address these concerns by exploring feasible solutions to ensure the widespread adoption of PETs.
Hal Finkel, Program Manager for Computer Science and Advanced Scientific Computing Research at the Department of Energy, and Greg Hager, Head of the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation, expressed their agencies' commitment to ensuring technology benefits every member of the public.
The RCN identified several areas of opportunity for PETs usage, such as in the social sciences, medical research, credential verification, AI model training, behavioural advertising, and education. The network will work towards developing guidelines and standards for secure data sharing using PETs, enabling third-party analytics and testing while minimising privacy risks and preventing data breaches.
In summary, the FPF RCN aims to foster environments where PETs are integrated into AI and data sharing policies to ensure privacy compliance, enable safe innovation, and empower users with control over their data across diverse jurisdictions and evolving technologies. The network encourages regulatory clarity, broader dissemination of PETs expertise, and the exploration of feasible solutions for the widespread adoption of PETs.
[1] European Commission. (2021). Proposal for a Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12627-Artificial-Intelligence-Act [2] California Privacy Rights Act. (2020). Retrieved from https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa [3] General Data Protection Regulation. (2016). Retrieved from https://gdpr-info.eu/ [4] New York State Department of Financial Services. (2020). Final regulations for financial services companies regarding cybersecurity requirements. Retrieved from https://www.dfs.ny.gov/regulations/cybersecurity/dfspolicy201-cybersecurity-regulation [5] European Commission. (2019). Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12631-ethics-guidelines-for-trustworthy-ai
- The Research Coordination Network (RCN) for Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing and Analytics, launched by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), is a significant step towards global momentum behind Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs).
- The launch event attracted senior representatives from companies, government, civil society, and academia, focusing on the role of government in supporting business cases for PETs.
- Experts at the event highlighted the need for regulatory clarity around PETs, discussing legal and technical obligations for organizations using PETs.
- The FPF RCN plans to explore mechanisms for PETs deployment, including new technology, legal and regulatory frameworks, and standards and certifications.
- Public trust and consumer advocacy regarding PETs are considered crucial, necessitating broader dissemination of PETs expertise.
- The FPF RCN encourages subject matter experts on PETs or those using PETs to contribute to its future use and regulation.
- Economic feasibility of PETs was also discussed, with deployment and operational costs being potential issues.
- The FPF RCN will address these concerns by exploring feasible solutions to ensure the widespread adoption of PETs.
- Hal Finkel and Greg Hager, from the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation respectively, expressed their agencies' commitment to ensuring technology benefits every member of the public.
- The RCN identified several areas of opportunity for PETs usage, such as social sciences, medical research, credential verification, AI model training, behavioral advertising, and education.
- The network will work towards developing guidelines and standards for secure data sharing using PETs, enabling third-party analytics and testing while minimizing privacy risks and preventing data breaches.
- The Artificial Intelligence Act, California Privacy Rights Act, General Data Protection Regulation, and New York State Department of Financial Services regulations for cybersecurity requirements highlight policy and legislation related to PETs.
- The European Commission's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI emphasize the importance of ethics in PETs development and application.
- Lifelong learning and self-development are essential for staying updated on the latest developments in technology, especially in areas like PETs, AI, data and cloud computing, personal-finance, and cybersecurity.
