9:21 am-Meyer concludes remarks.  First sessions of PrivacyCon 2021 kicks off on FTC website at 9:30.  You can check it out here!

9:20 am-Meyer-Need more than lawyers to solve privacy issues.  Problems cannot be solved through legal action alone.  FTC is broadening team to address these issues going forward and take a “new approach” to issues.

9:15 am Meyer- (2) Data abuse also issue of civil rights and national security.  There has been 2900% increase in identity theft this year-so when bad actor for instances takes out unemployment in someone else’s name in wake of data breach government will act accordingly.  FTC reaffirms recklessness of entities that think they can get away with mishandling data is not to be tolerated and has real impact on ordinary Americans.  Also moving away from legalistic approach to data abuses, will be instead doing broader lens and assembling technological experts and others to address problem.

9:14 am-Meyer-Where market should see changes and what should expect from FTC: (1) data abuses don’t happen in a vacuum-can be in context of beating out competitors.  Key changes to FTC work where “abusers” of data and repeatedly break law, regulators like FTC will impose actual remedies that “fix things”-which does not mean a one time fine or more detailed disclosure.  Needs to be company will not benefit from use of data to detriment of competitors.  May need to restructure business incentives or even corporate structure and people who were hurt by corporate action get actual help.  May require companies to disgorge algorithms as part of resolution.

9:13 am-Meyer-takes stage.

9:10 am-C. Slaughter-Rather than focus on opt-in than opt-out, focus on data minimization and collect information only absolutely necessary and limit use of data.  Data sharing, data security tie into these concepts.  Bears upon civil rights, economic opportunity and civil autonomy.  As long as data only controlled by large online platforms consumers will be impacted to their detriment.  Window of opportunity to catalyze change that FTC will be moving to act in.  Data collection is a competition issue as well as privacy issue.  Must approach comprehensively rather than through lens of either unfair competition or consumer protection.

9:08 am-C. Slaughter-pandemic highlighted challenges for digital marketplace for privacy and autonomy.  She knows here for privacy today but reject privacy as animating framework-instead issues focus on algorithmic bias and challenge for teenagers and teens.  FTC working to address bias and unfairness-growing understanding that digital issues moved beyond who has access to your personal information and should focus instead on “data abuses”.  Examine issues beyond traditional privacy concerns to focus on economic exclusion, personal autonomy and other matters.

9:07 am-Commissioner Slaughter welcomes everyone to PrivacyCon 2021

9:06 am-19 different presenters today, showcasing the work of hundreds of researchers.  If you can’t check out PrivacyCon today look up work online to understand issues addressed.

9:05-Panelists at PrivacyCon will be taking live questions from the virtual audience.  Great way to engage even though being held remotely.

9:03-PrivacyCon streaming on FTC site and transcript of presentations will also be made available.

9:03-Here we go!

8:58 am-The conference will kick off with remarks from Jamie Hine, Senior Attorney, Division of Privacy & Identity Protection, Federal Trade Commission then pivot to the opening speakers.  Should be interesting!

The FTC is hosting its sixth annual PrivacyCon today.  Kristin Bryan will be live blogging opening remarks at 9 am EST provided by Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission and Erie Meyer, Chief Technologist, Federal Trade Commission at 9 am.  Stand by!

As reported on the FTC’s website PrivacyCon 2021 will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and government regulators, to discuss the latest research and trends related to consumer privacy and data security.