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2 weeks ago | 
itif.org | Ash Johnson |Alex Ambrose |Daniel Castro
Introduction and Summary 1I. Roles and Responsibilities 2II. Personal Information, Transparency, and Consumer Rights 3III. Existing Privacy Frameworks & Protections 4IV. Data Security 5V. Artificial Intelligence. 5VI. Accountability & Enforcement 5Conclusion.
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Dec 12, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
|December 12, 2024The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a staff report in September 2024 on the data practices of nine of the largest social media and video streaming services (SMVSSs)—Amazon, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Snap, ByteDance (owner of TikTok), Discord, Reddit, and WhatsApp.
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Nov 18, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
Last month, a mother filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, a company that develops artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots designed to mimic human companions. The suit alleges that her 14-year-old son took his own life after using the service. This case has sparked discussions about the benefits and risks of virtual companions and whether policymakers should regulate these technologies.
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Oct 7, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made it possible to produce films, music, video games, and more using “digital replicas” of a performer’s appearance, voice, and movements rather than the actual person. Pop group ABBA’s recent “Voyage” tour utilized virtual avatars (nicknamed “ABBA-tars”) to perform songs virtually. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story famously included scenes created with a composite of the late Peter Cushing with a motion capture actor’s bodywork.
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Oct 1, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
|October 1, 2024Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced legislation on September 24, 2024, that would require social media platforms to add warning labels about the potential mental health impacts of using social media. This policy proposal is fundamentally flawed for two key reasons. First, there is no established scientific consensus linking social media to harmful effects on mental health.
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Sep 3, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
KEY TAKEAWAYSEnsuring that young people get the best possible online experience—balancing safety with utility—is difficult considering every child and teenager has different needs and faces unique circumstances. Play, imagination, and creativity are all critical for children’s development. Immersive technologies can be beneficial in those regards by fostering social connection and stimulating creativity and imagination.
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Jul 26, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
|July 26, 2024In the rapidly evolving landscape of immersive technologies, the integration of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)—immersive technologies that enable users to experience digitally rendered content in both physical and virtual space—is reshaping how users interact with digital environments. These technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for immersive experiences, from virtual meetings and interactive gaming to innovative educational tools and healthcare.
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Jun 26, 2024 | 
njpp.org | Alex Ambrose
Today, New Jersey lawmakers introduced and advanced legislation (A4704/S3513) that creates a Corporate Transit Fee and dedicates the proceeds to NJ Transit. Sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari and Assemblywoman Shama Haider, the legislation establishes the first-ever dedicated funding for NJ Transit in the 45-year history of the agency.
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Jun 25, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose |Daniel Castro
By Alex Ambrose and Daniel Castro|June 25, 2024The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy published a New York Times op-ed on June 17, 2024 arguing that social media poses such a threat to children’s mental health that these platforms should come with a warning label like cigarettes and alcohol.
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Apr 22, 2024 | 
itif.org | Alex Ambrose
Creating accessible digital products and services is no small task, but for the 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, including the 7 million American adults with vision impairment or low-vision, accessibility is vital, especially for digital government services. Oklahoma's mobile ID app, OK Mobile ID, allowed users to store state-issued identification like a driver's license for digital access and use it in instances where individuals would typically need to show an ID.
