Policy Blog Templates (14)

SIIA Joins Opposition to AB 2013: Balancing Transparency and Feasibility in AI Legislation

by Policy
SIIA joins with other organizations in expressing opposition to AB 2013 (Irwin) in its current form, primarily due to concerns surrounding its implications. While supportive of transparency initiatives, the collective argues that the bill’s requirements regarding the disclosure of data used to train AI systems present significant challenges. Key among these concerns are the perceived burdensomeness and lack of clarity in defining crucial terms such as “training” and “developer.” The group stresses the necessity for targeted transparency measures to prevent consumer fatigue and avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses operating within multiple regulatory regimes. Critical suggestions for amendments include narrowing the bill’s scope to high-risk AI systems, clarifying definitions, and ensuring the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property. Additionally, alternative approaches to achieving transparency and accountability are proposed to mitigate the potential adverse effects on businesses. Furthermore, the organizations advocate for the bill to only apply to AI developed after its effective date and to explicitly preclude any private right of action.
Full Letter Here
Policy Blog Templates (13)

SIIA Joins Organizations in Expressing Concerns to FTC and DOJ on Proposed HSR Act Changes

by Policy
SIIA, along with 18 other organizations, expresses concerns about the proposed changes to the HSR filing process. While they believe wholesale revisions are unnecessary, they urge the FTC and DOJ to consider a modified rule. Recent statements suggest significant differences from the proposed rule, which is welcomed due to the burdens it would impose. Legal requirements necessitate a reproposal for substantially modified rules. Withdrawal of the original proposal is urged to allow for a new notice and comment process to evaluate potential impacts on U.S. merger policy and capital markets.
Full Letter Here
Policy Blog Templates (12)

SIIA’s Response to Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Sensitive Personal Data by DOJ, National Security Division

by Policy
This letter written by SIIA responds to the Department of Justice’s advanced notice of proposed rulemaking regarding Executive Order 14117, aimed at preventing access to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and U.S. government-related data by countries of concern. SIIA underscores the importance of aligning any new regulations with existing legal frameworks on privacy and sensitive data, while also cautioning against imposing compliance burdens that may outweigh the intended regulatory objectives, particularly concerning new “know your customer” rules.
Full Letter Here
Policy Blog Templates (2)

IN THE NEWS: House members, witnesses agree time is ripe to pass federal data privacy laws

by Policy

Proposals to improve children’s online data privacy were a big focus during a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday.

By: Anna Merod

Source: K-12DIVE

Dive Brief:

  • Data privacy rights, particularly for children, were front and center at a House subcommittee hearing Wednesday that focused on three bills aimed at limiting online companies’ storage and use of consumer data.
  • Several lawmakers and witnesses said including more protections for children’s data would be crucial under the proposed American Privacy Rights Act, which would set national consumer data privacy rights. They also stressed the importance of prohibiting targeted advertising to children and teens — as included in the proposed Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA 2.0.
  • Representatives from both sides of the aisle, along with witnesses, also agreed that the current momentum building around the issue in Congress might be the best chance for passing comprehensive federal data privacy legislation.

Dive Insight:

The proposals aiming to bolster data privacy protections, particularly COPPA 2.0, could impact how schools navigate contracts with ed tech companies that often handle sensitive student data.

Endorsement for updates proposed for COPPA 2.0 came from 11 education groups in a letter to several members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. The groups, which the Association of School Business Officials, the Consortium for School Networking, the National School Boards Association, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, endorsing are members of the Federal Education Privacy Coalition.

The groups wrote that the proposed COPPA 2.0 “finds the right balance between enhancing child and teen privacy protections online and enabling schools to effectively incorporate edtech into the classroom.” The bill would allow schools to offer students access to ed tech platforms once a vendor contract is signed and the school has thoroughly vetted the ed tech company for privacy and security safeguards, they said.

Additionally, the groups supported the bill’s proposal to expand online privacy protections for children from those 13 and under to those 17 and under.

During Wednesday’s House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, panel Chair Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, said in his opening statement that passing bills like COPPA 2.0 and KOSA is a critical safety measure.

“We know that big tech has failed, ladies and gentleman, to prioritize the health and safety of our children online, resulting in significant increase in mental health conditions, suicide and drug overdose deaths.” Bilirakis said. “It’s time for big tech to be held accountable for facilitating this activity and manipulating our kids to keep them addicted to their screens for longer than ever before.”

Ava Smithing, advocacy and community director for the Young People’s Alliance, shared how targeted advertising and algorithmic changes on Instagram shaped her eating disorder when she was a teen.

“They stored my insecurity as data and linked it to all my accounts across the internet,” Smithing said. “They used my data to infer what other types of ads and content I might ‘like,’ leading me down a pipeline from bikini advertisements to exercise videos to dieting tips and finally to eating disorder content.”

Smithing expressed support for both the proposed Kids Online Safety Act and COPPA 2.0, stressing the importance for social platforms to give users a way to opt out from targeted advertising or even turn off targeted advertising by default.

Data privacy standards appear to be stronger in APRA than in COPPA 2.0, said witness Samir Jain, vice president of policy at the Center for Democracy and Technology. He suggested that data protections instead be included in one place for both adults and children,“It’s helpful to have this all in one place, because we don’t want to inadvertently protect kids less than we do adults.”

Additionally, Jain said there’s a need to create a youth privacy division within the Federal Trade Commission to help develop better children’s data privacy policies later on.

A different viewpoint came from the Software and Information Industry Association, which sent a letter to the chair and ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee prior to the hearing.

SIIA said COPPA 2.0’s age verification requirement could cause operators to require all users to verify their age, not just children, which would increase privacy and cybersecurity risks due to the additional amount of information provided. The association also said banning targeted advertising via COPPA 2.0 could unintentionally lead online providers to charge for access to their services, which would “have a notable impact on the digital divide.”

1713290063237

Celebrating Sara Kloek: A Leader in the AI Revolution Shaping Education

by Policy

This week, Sara Kloek, SIIA Vice President of Education and Children’s Policy, was honored as one of the Women Leading the AI Revolution in EDU at the AIR show in San Diego.

Sara played a pivotal role in launching the Education Technology Industry’s Principles For The Future Of AI In Education, and has been instrumental in paving the way for the ethical and responsible integration of AI into educational practices. The principles set forth by Sara and her colleagues not only provide guidance for industry professionals but also emphasize the importance of prioritizing students’ well-being and privacy in this digital age.

Sara is a recognized expert in children’s privacy issues and is  deeply engaged in educating both policymakers and the public about the implications of significant bills such as KOSA and COPPA. Her advocacy informs and ensures stakeholders can advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of educators and students. You can watch her recent insights on these issues here.

Education worksheets play a crucial role in reinforcing classroom learning, providing students with structured opportunities to practice and apply new concepts. Whether used in traditional classrooms or digital learning environments, well-designed worksheets can cater to different learning styles and help educators track progress effectively. As AI continues to shape modern education, these resources are evolving to become more interactive and adaptive, ensuring that students receive personalized support. By aligning with ethical AI principles, educators can develop materials that foster deeper understanding while maintaining student privacy and security.

Beyond reinforcing academic concepts, worksheets also serve as a medium for Fun and engaging learning activities that keep students motivated and invested in their education. When integrated thoughtfully, these activities can enhance critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Interactive worksheets, gamified challenges, and real-world application exercises help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical use. As technology continues to advance, it’s essential that educational tools maintain a balance between innovation and responsibility, ensuring that learning remains both effective and ethical.

“In a field often dominated by male voices, it’s crucial to spotlight and celebrate the exceptional contributions of women shaping the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. It’s extremely gratifying to see Sara’s subject matter expertise and thought leadership more widely recognized. She and the other nominees  are spearheading the AI revolution in education. Through her unwavering dedication to crafting inclusive education policies and practices, the work she is doing will create a better digital experience for future generations,” remarks Chris Mohr, SIIA President.

At the core of Sara’s endeavors lies a steadfast commitment to promoting education technology while safeguarding children’s and student data privacy. These are not mere aspirations but tangible actions with the potential to shape the educational landscape for generations to come.

Congratulations, Sara on being recognized as a trailblazer in the AI revolution in education!

See the list of other Women Leading the AI Revolution In EDU here