US tech policy needs real tech research behind it

[Commentary] So how can the Federal Trade Commission better protect consumers and promote innovation as personalization, connected cars, health and fitness devices, and other technologies emerge? By making sure our work is informed by the best minds helping to drive the digital revolution. We hear frequently from industry groups, consumer advocates, and government colleagues about policy issues. We also hear from technologists, but not as much as we'd like -- we need more of them to weigh in on these important issues. Policymakers need to ensure that privacy is respected while innovation flourishes, and technology academics and researchers are crucial to hitting that sweet spot.

Technologists are important to policymaking for a number of reasons. They can help shine a light on privacy and security gaps. They can develop honeypots, crawlers, and other tools to highlight the types of information companies collect, to identify what kinds of choices consumers are making, and to assess whether these choices are being respected. With strong partnerships, the FTC can keep pace with the curve of technological innovation and protect consumers in this exciting new digital world.