The Sky is Not Falling: Understanding the Privacy Panic Cycle



While most people are conditioned to see through the marketing hype surrounding “revolutionary!” and “game-changing!” new technologies, few have the same healthy skepticism when it comes to outsized claims about allegedly dire privacy risks that now routinely accompany many of the very same innovations. Taken at face value, these supposed privacy risks suggest that government should intervene to protect society. A closer look, however, reveals that privacy concerns are often misplaced or unnecessary, and they rapidly dissipate as people come to better understand and appreciate the products and services in question.

 

At this event, ITIF will release a new report examining this recurring “privacy panic cycle”—a common trajectory of overwrought privacy claims and hysterical fears that often follow the introduction of a new technology, only to dissipate as cooler heads prevail. By looking at both historical and current technologies, the report analyzes the cause of the privacy panic cycle and the factors that have amplified it in recent years.

 

Following a presentation on the report, panelists will discuss how policymakers can look beyond the cycle of fear and put in place policies that create consumer protections while also supporting the adoption and deployment of technologies.

 

The event is free, open to the public, and complies with ethics rules. It will be webcast live on ITIF.org and a recording will be available afterward. Follow @ITIFdc during the event, and join the conversation using #PrivacyPanic.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Daniel Castro
Vice President
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Presenter
 
Morgan Reed
Executive Director
Association for Competitive Technology
Presenter
 
Carl Szabo
Policy Counsel
NetChoice
Presenter
 
Adam Thierer
Senior Research Fellow
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Presenter
 

This event has no exhibitor/sponsor opportunities


When
Thu, Sep 10, 2015, 9:00am - 10:30am


Cost
Complimentary:    $ 0.00


Where
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation
1101 K Street NW, Suite 610A
Washington, DC 20005
Get directions


Website
Click here to visit event website


Organizer
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation


Contact Event Organizer


Join the event conversation:
@itifdc
#PrivacyPanic


Return to search results