Press Release  AG Healey Hosts Consumer Data Privacy Forum in Collaboration with MIT and the Berkman Center

Cambridge — In support of her office’s continued efforts to protect the privacy and security of consumers’ data, Attorney General Maura Healey today hosted a data privacy forum in collaboration with MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the Internet Policy Research Initiative at MIT, and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, with the goal of protecting consumer data privacy while supporting a data-driven, digital economy. 

The forum, held under MIT’s Great Dome, gathered hundreds of consumer advocates, privacy experts, industry leaders and technology innovators to discuss the risks of consumer privacy, and the role of states and state attorneys general in addressing those risks without restricting innovation and advances that benefit consumers in Massachusetts. 

“Massachusetts needs to lead a data-driven, digital economy that has the potential to expand social and economic opportunities for everyone,” AG Healey said. “But we need to be aware of the risks involved. This forum is about encouraging innovation while ensuring that all consumers are treated fairly in the process. We are pleased to partner with MIT and the Berkman Center, and look forward to working with stakeholders on ways to guard against abuse and make sure that these technologies are a benefit for all consumers.”

The half-day forum included two panels and welcomed a range of technology experts, including individuals from Facebook, Google, TechNet, ACLU Massachusetts, Twine Health, the National Consumer Law Center, and former advisors to the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy.

Moderator Danny Weitzner, Principal Research Scientist at CSAIL and Director of the MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative, led a panel called “Consumer Privacy Risks in an Evolving Digital Marketplace” that addressed the various privacy risks and misuses of consumer data when that data is collected, analyzed, and shared in the digital marketplace.

“The only way to effectively address today's biggest data privacy challenges is having technologists, policy makers and other stakeholders work together on solutions,” said Taylor Reynolds, director of MIT’s Internet Policy Research Initiative. “We applaud Attorney General Healey’s decision to initiate this discussion at MIT in a way that brings together voices from academia, business, government and civil society to address these important, emerging privacy issues that affect us all.”

Chris Bavitz, Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and a Faculty Co-Director of the Berkman Center, also moderated a panel entitled “The Role of States in Protecting Consumer Privacy,” during which panelists discussed the various tools available to states and state Attorney Generals to protect consumers from abuses concerning their personal data, and how such tools could be leveraged to support innovation that benefits consumers.

“Privacy regulation requires a nuanced approach to ensure consumers’ rights are protected while allowing for technological innovation,” said Professor Bavitz. “We appreciated the thoughtful contributions of the stakeholders who participated in today’s event and look forward to seeing how they inform the AG’s enforcement agenda.”

During the forum, AG Healey discussed the potential of big data and data analytics to perpetuate and facilitate illegal discrimination – such as marketing campaigns that rely on data reflecting race or socio-economic status to promote predatory lending and insurance products, or to steer vulnerable consumers towards illegal or unfair financial products and into debt. 

AG Healey also expressed concern over practices that encourage the collection and sale of inaccurate data about consumers on the open market, which can cause Massachusetts residents to lose out on access to credit, housing, insurance, and employment opportunities.

In September, the AG’s Office led the filing of a multistate brief in the case Spokeo v. Robins, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize the harms that consumers suffer when inaccurate information about them is disseminated and relied upon by businesses.

In May 2015, the AG’s Office announced a $6 million multistate settlement with the three credit reporting agencies following disputes over credit report errors, and concerns with their use of consumer debt information.

For more information on today’s forum, visit the Attorney General’s website.

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