Key Takeaways From the Spring 2024 Privacy+Security Forum: Misinformation and Youth Online Safety

Paul Hastings attended the spring 2024 Privacy+Security Forum hosted by Professors Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz, where privacy professionals from all over the world gathered in Washington, D.C. to learn about the latest developments in privacy and cybersecurity. Read this quick update for some key takeaways from Day 1 of this spring’s Forum.

Keynote Jeff Kosseff

To kick off the Forum, Professor Solove hosted a fireside chat with Jeff Kosseff to discuss his new book, Liar in a Crowded Theater: Freedom of Speech in a World of Misinformation. Solove and Kosseff discussed the dangers of misinformation in our ever-changing digital age. Kosseff explained the dramatic effects of artificial intelligence and misinformation, specifically highlighting that these issues may present with them unchartered territory for courts dealing with lawsuits and litigation concerning AI-generated content.

Youth Online Safety

Another interesting takeaway was a panel on youth online safety. Speakers presented on evolving regulatory enforcement and litigation risks with respect to teenage online safety. Panel speakers highlighted the increased difficulty in complying with traditional data protection principles, such as data minimization, while also maintaining proof of verified parental consent, as well as youth-related data.

Additionally, the panel emphasized the recent trend in protecting an older age group—teenagers. Speakers highlighted that the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act imposes requirements for websites directed to children under 13 years of age, but not teenagers part of an older age group. However, the panel concluded with a strong reminder that the FTC is still watching, and could use its broad enforcement power to target services directed to children 13 years of age or older.

The Privacy+Security Forum is hosted twice a year by Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz, and brings together leading experts in the areas of privacy and security law. Paul Hastings was a sponsor for this spring’s Forum, which took place from May 8-10 in Washington, D.C.

Our Privacy and Cybersecurity practice regularly advises companies on issues related to AI and youth online safety. If you have any questions concerning these issues or any other data privacy or cybersecurity developments, please do not hesitate to contact any member of our team.