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Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act
5/24/2024, 1:37 PM
Summary of Bill HR 4755
If passed, the bill would authorize the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to researchers and institutions working on developing new privacy-enhancing technologies. These technologies could include encryption tools, anonymization techniques, and other methods to help individuals control and protect their personal data online.
The bill also aims to support collaboration between researchers, industry, and government agencies to advance the field of privacy-enhancing technology. By fostering innovation in this area, the legislation seeks to address growing concerns about data privacy and security in the digital age. Overall, the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act is designed to encourage the development of new tools and strategies to safeguard individuals' privacy in an increasingly interconnected world. It reflects a bipartisan effort to address the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of technology and the need for stronger protections for personal data.
Congressional Summary of HR 4755
Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act
This bill requires certain federal agencies to support research and development of technology that better protects individuals' privacy with respect to data collection (i.e., privacy enhancing technologies).
Specifically, the National Science Foundation must support research on de-identification methods, algorithmic tools, free software libraries, and other technology that reduces privacy risks from data processing. The bill also specifically incorporates this type of technology into the foundation's computer and network security research grants.
Additionally, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (a network of 24 federal agencies focused on research and development of advanced information technologies in computing, networking, and software) must coordinate with the foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Trade Commission, and other federal agencies to accelerate the development and implementation of this type of technology.
NIST must also engage with public and private stakeholders to support the development of voluntary standards for integrating this type of technology into data collection, sharing, and analytical practices.
