MIT Launches New Data Privacy Initiative

Data Privacy Initiative

MIT Data Privacy Initiative To Combine Computer Science With Public Policy

Strategic use of data is vital for progress in science, commerce, and even politics, but at the same time, citizens are demanding more responsible, respectful use of personal data. Internet users have never felt more helpless about how their data are being used: Surveys show that the vast majority of U.S. adults feel that they have little to no control over the data that the government and private companies collect about them. In response to these concerns, new privacy laws are being enacted in Europe, California, Virginia, and elsewhere around the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collaboration

To conduct more focused research and analysis of these issues, last week Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launched a new data privacy initiative to bring state-of-the-art computer science research together with public policy expertise and engagement.

Launched on April 6, the MIT Future of Data, Trust, and Privacy initiative (FOD) will involve collaboration between experts specializing in five distinct technical areas:

  • database systems
  • applied cryptography
  • AI and machine learning
  • data portability and new information architectures; and
  • human-computer interaction.

In addition to technical research, FOD will provide forums for dialogue amongst MIT researchers, policymakers, and industry consortium members, with a structure similar to MIT’s 2019 AI Policy Congress, which included members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Future of Data: Law, Technology and Policy Video

Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology