Yearly DC Privacy Gathering: Bringing Together Leading Figures in Digital Age Governance
In the heart of the nation's capital, the second annual DC Privacy Forum took place on June 11, 2022, convening key government, civil society, academic, and corporate leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of digital governance. Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration as he delivered the opening remarks.
One of the panel discussions, titled "Sensitive Data Can and Should Be Strictly Regulated," delved into the effectiveness of laws focused on sensitive data. The audience initially strongly supported the statement, but the debate ended with Mike Hintze, Partner at Hintze Law PLLC, winning decisively. Paul Ohm, a Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, supported the statement, while Hintze argued against it.
The forum highlighted the complexities facing organizations operating across states, given the varied and expanding laws concerning privacy and AI. The current status of U.S. privacy legislation in relation to AI regulation and data protection is characterized by a patchwork of state-led laws and the absence of comprehensive federal statutes. As of mid-2025, around 20 states have enacted comprehensive consumer privacy laws, including California, Virginia, Colorado, Utah, and Connecticut, with several others following suit.
In terms of AI-specific regulation at the state level, states like Colorado and Utah have pioneered legislation targeting AI systems. For example, Utah's 2024 AI and Policy Act mandates consent, transparency, and responsible use of AI-generated content, while Colorado’s AI Act (2022) has served as a model for other states contemplating AI regulation.
At the federal level, however, there is no comprehensive AI or privacy law currently in effect. Instead, the federal government has issued non-binding guidelines such as the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s AI Bill of Rights (2022), which advocates for human-centered AI and data privacy but lacks enforceability.
Notably, a significant proposed federal measure called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced in the House in April 2025, seeks to impose a 10-year moratorium on states enacting AI laws or regulations addressing automated decision-making systems. If passed, this would effectively preempt state-level AI regulations, raising important questions about federalism, innovation, and consumer protection.
The "Youth Privacy, Security, and Safety Online Panel," moderated by Bailey Sanchez, focused on protecting children and teens online. The panel included Stacy Feuer, David Lieber, Tyler Park, Nick Rossi, and Kate Sheerin, who discussed the future of protecting kids and teens online requiring shared responsibility, flexible approaches, ongoing innovation, and collaboration.
Another panel unpacked the subject of AI agents and their opportunities and challenges. The forum also discussed the state of AI legislation, focusing on federal vs. state approaches. The final panel, "Privacy/Cyber Security," focused on the key points of conflict between online privacy and security values.
In summary, the decentralized and evolving landscape of US privacy and AI regulation reflects ongoing tensions between state autonomy and potential federal oversight, with the US lagging behind some international jurisdictions in establishing comprehensive AI privacy standards. Organizations operating across states face increasing complexity due to these varied and expanding laws.
- The DC Privacy Forum highlighted the complexities facing organizations operating across states, given the varied and expanding laws concerning privacy and AI.
- Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
- The forum discussed the state of AI legislation, focusing on federal vs. state approaches.
- Mike Hintze, Partner at Hintze Law PLLC, won decisively in the debate about the effectiveness of laws focused on sensitive data.
- In terms of AI-specific regulation at the state level, states like Colorado and Utah have pioneered legislation targeting AI systems.
- The "Youth Privacy, Security, and Safety Online Panel" discussed the future of protecting kids and teens online requiring shared responsibility, flexible approaches, ongoing innovation, and collaboration.
- The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced in the House in April 2025, seeks to impose a 10-year moratorium on states enacting AI laws or regulations addressing automated decision-making systems.
- The forum featured a panel unpacking the subject of AI agents and their opportunities and challenges, and another panel focused on the key points of conflict between online privacy and security values.
