WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) Wednesday introduced the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act, bipartisan legislation that promotes responsible data usage by Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs).
PETs are a broad range of technologies that allow organizations to collect, share, and use data while mitigating the privacy risks that arise from those activities.
This legislation supports privacy-enhanced datasets and tools for enhancing users’ privacy.
The Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act will direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct fundamental privacy research to mitigate individuals’ privacy risks in data sets while maintaining fairness, accuracy, and efficiency.
The bill supports research, workforce development, standard setting, and government coordination for the development of privacy enhancing technologies (PETs).
A 2019 survey by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration found that 73 percent of U.S. households have significant concerns about online privacy and security risks.
“It’s critical for every American to prioritize the protection of their online data privacy,” Kean said. “I am eager to co-lead this bipartisan bill to ensure that when individuals are using any online platform, there is a standard level of security and limited privacy risks. By reshaping how organizations handle user data and prioritizing the reduction of online risks for users, we are actively creating a safer and more trustworthy online environment. This bill is the next step in protecting Americans online
“Practically any digital action that internet users take – from social media or shopping online to browsing news or using email – creates data that is stored by companies or organizations. It is high time that we support research to protect Americans’ most sensitive and personal data. The rise of AI exposes individuals to new privacy threats. AI models rely on vast quantities of training data. Privacy enhancing technologies offer the promise to protect privacy by eliminating or reducing personal data without losing the desired functionality. This important legislation supports privacy-enhanced datasets and tools for training AI systems,” Stevens said.
The Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act authorizes research and standards setting activities at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for privacy enhancing technologies. Additionally, the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act:
- Directs the NSF to support competitive, fundamental research on privacy enhancing technologies.
- Supports workforce development activities at NSF in order to help address the growing shortage of privacy professionals across the US.
- Promotes coordination on privacy enhancing technologies between the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House, NIST, NSF, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Requires a report to Congress on the progress of privacy enhancing technology development as well as makes recommendations to improve the communication and coordination between Federal agencies and the private sector on privacy enhancing technologies.
- Directs NIST to facilitate the development of standards and best practices for integration of PETs in the public and private sector to ensure that Americans continue to reap the rewards of data analysis while also protecting their most sensitive information.
