Looking back at the 4th Annual Data Privacy Conference USA

The Annual Data Privacy Conference USA returned to Washington, D.C on September 14th and took place exclusively in-person for the first time since 2019...

This year’s conference took place as regulatory discussions and initiatives around Data Privacy in the US have intensified in the last few months, with the advancement of the ADPPA to the House Floor, the passage of COPPA 2.0 and KOSA in the Senate Commerce Committee, and the launch of a proposed rulemaking on commercial surveillance and data security by the FTC.

Nearly 200 participants including legislators, Hill staffers, the public and private sectors, and civil society representatives heard from top-level experts who discussed the most timely and pressing issues around data privacy and tech regulations ahead of the mid-terms, including keynotes from Congresswoman DelBene (D-WA-01) and Senator Markey (D-Mass).

The conference discussed what can be done by organizations of all sizes and all sectors to prepare for future compliance in this ever-changing regulatory landscape. It analyzed the extent to which the circulation of the American Data Privacy and Protection Act has set the stage for continued discussions on a federal privacy framework and explored what is expected next, following the FTC’s launch of their notice of potential rule-making.

It also explored the complex convergence between the data privacy and competition regulatory spheres, their overlapping objectives, where these regulatory areas complement each other, and what tensions exist.

Significant focus was given to the new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework, which is expected to lead to a new Trans-Atlantic agreement addressing the ECJ Schrems II decision; to the Global CBPR Forum developed with APEC and other countries; and to other international efforts such as the Data Free Flow with Trust or the OECD’s work in developing multilateral models for global data flows to create trusted mechanisms and support responsible cross-border data flows across jurisdictions.

The event also explored protection and empowerment issues for children's privacy in the digital space. It debated what would constitute a proportionate response to the ongoing and persistent threats to children’s online privacy, considering the confidentiality and fundamental rights issues at stake, while ensuring the quality and variety of online products and services for children, tweens and teens.

Speakers examined how the right balance can be found between the need for law enforcement authorities to access electronic data to investigate crimes and protect national security with the need to protect citizens’ privacy, civil liberties, and fundamental rights against abuses.

Finally, the last session looked to the future by examining what privacy will look like in the Metaverse. Speakers analyzed the security risks and privacy concerns that are expected to be amplified in the metaverse, and how these concerns are being addressed by or diverge from existing policy and regulations about data and consumer protection.

We would like to thank all speakers, delegates and sponsors of this event, including ACT | The App Association, AT&T, BSA | The Software Alliance, ITI, Microsoft and Workday, as well as our Knowledge Partner, the Providence Group.

Should you wish to be involved in the 5^th edition of this event in September 2023, please contact Anne-Lise.Simon@forum-europe.com / + 44 (0) 2920 783 023.