FTC Announces Agenda for Upcoming Big Data Workshop

The Federal Trade Commission has announced an agenda for its upcoming workshop, “Big Data: A Tool for Inclusion or Exclusion?” taking place at 8 a.m. on Sept. 15 in Washington, D.C.

“Big data” is used to refer to advancing technologies that are dramatically expanding the commercial collection, analysis, use, and storage of data. The workshop will examine the use of big data and its impact on consumers, including low-income and underserved consumers, and will consist of four panel discussions:

• Assessing the Current Environment: This panel will examine the current uses of big data in a variety of contexts and how these uses impact consumers. 

• What’s on the Horizon with Big Data? This panel will explore potential uses of big data as well as the potential benefits and harms for particular populations of consumers.

• Surveying the Legal Landscape: This panel will review various antidiscrimination and consumer protection laws and discuss how they may apply to the use of big data, and whether there may be gaps in the law.

• Mapping the Path Forward: This panel will explore best practices for the use of big data to protect consumers.

A full agenda and listing of panelists will be announced closer to the date of the event. More information on the event, including instructions on how to file comments before the pre-agenda deadline of Aug. 15, can be found on the workshop’s website.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.