Redesigning Notice and Consent

March 2, 2020 12:50 pm to 2:00 pm

RSVP is required for this free event. 

As our lives become ever more dependent on digital services, we are increasingly asked to consent to the collection and use of data about us. But do we understand what this means and does it occur in a way that protects our best interests? 
 
There is broad agreement among researchers, policymakers, the public, and industry that the current frameworks of notice and consent in online environments are deeply flawed. When presented with click-through consent, privacy policies, or terms of use statements, most people reflexively select “I Agree”. Since the terms offered are typically “take it or leave it,” to decline means to be denied the product or service one seeks, creating a disincentive for consumers to do anything other than accept the terms of service. An extensive body of academic research specifically on privacy policies demonstrates that the public doesn’t read them, may not understand them if they did, and that many misinterpret their purpose, assuming that the existence of a privacy policy means they offer data protection, when in fact privacy policies have no obligation to do so.
 
In this talk, Jen King, Director of Consumer Privacy for the Center for Internet and Society will discuss the outcomes of a recent conference she organized (in partnership with the World Economic Forum) focused on both design-based and legal solutions for tackling this issue. One goal in conducting this work is to prepare alternatives to the existing framework as the U.S. considers federal level privacy legislation in the near future.
Location: 
Room 272
559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA
Focus Area: 
People: 

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