Privacy, data security under the Trump administration hot topics at ABA meeting

Tom Pahl, acting chief for the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, will give the opening address at the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law and The Federal Communications Bar Association 12th Annual Privacy & Data Security Symposium to be held Tuesday, March 21, in Washington, D.C.

Pahl will speak at 2:15 p.m. in a session about the "Policy Priorities for the Trump Administration." Pahl will give an overview of what the FTC's plans and priorities are as it relates to privacy and security matters.

Other program highlights include:

- "Session I: The FCC's Broadband Privacy Rules, the FTC's Common Carrier Exemption and Other Hot Topics in 2017" - Are you curious about how a Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission will handle the agency's Broadband Privacy Order? Or what about the Trump administration's doubts about the unauthorized access to the nation's computer infrastructure? Is cybersecurity a top priority for the new administration? This panel will discuss the impact of these issues and how it will affect consumers and businesses for broadband, the Internet of Things and new technology. Speakers include Kathleen Benway, chief of staff, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC; Gaurav Laroia, policy counsel, Free Press; Gigi B. Sohn, fellow, Open Society Foundations. Sherrese Smith, member, Telecommunications, Media, and Technology and Privacy and Cybersecurity Practices for Paul Hastings LLP will moderate the session.

- "Session II: Congress's Privacy and Data Security Priorities for 2017" - Will the Communications Act be rewritten? How can new legislation impact the internet, broadband, the Internet of Things and other privacy and data security issues domestically and globally? What will happen in court cases involving Net Neutrality and cross-border data transfers with the European Union? Will more states take on matters involving privacy and data security? This panel will examine Congress's priorities as it relates to the legislation and oversight of privacy and data security issues. Speakers include moderator John Heitmann, chair, FCBA Privacy & Data Security and partner and chair, Communications Group at Kelley Brye & Warren LLP; Cort Bush, professional staff member, Senate Commerce Committee, Majority Staff; Mèlika Carroll, policy advisor, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI); David Goldman, chief counsel, House Communications and Technology Subcommittee: and Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, fellow, Governance Studies, Center for Technology Innovation, The Brookings Institute

Published: Thu, Mar 16, 2017