Data Regulation Ramps Up in Europe: The AI, Data, and Data Governance Acts

Join Sidley and OneTrust DataGuidance for Part two of the “Data Regulation Ramps Up in Europe” webinar series, where our panel will discuss legislative proposals, including the Artificial Intelligence Act, the Data Act, and the Data Governance Act (DGA). (more…)

UK Consults on Algorithmic Processing

Algorithms touch upon multiple aspects of digital life, and their use potentially falls within several separate – though converging – regulatory systems. More than ever, a ‘joined up’ approach is required to assess them, and the UK’s main regulators are working together to try to formulate a coherent policy, setting an interesting example that could be a template for global approaches to digital regulation. (more…)

Trying to Tackle Big Data: European Union Launches Draft Data Act

On 23 February 2022, the European Commission (Commission) proposed a draft of a regulation on harmonised rules on fair access to and use of data – also known as the Data Act. The Data Act is intended to “ensure fairness in the digital environment, stimulate a competitive data market, open opportunities for data-driven innovation and make data more accessible for all”.

If adopted in its current form, the new rules will impose far-reaching obligations on tech companies (such as manufacturers of connected products and cloud service providers) and give national authorities new enforcement powers to sanction infringements with fines of up to EUR 20 million or 4% of annual global revenue, whichever is higher. (more…)

CPRA Law + Tech Series

WEBINAR

Sidley Senior Managing Associate Sheri Porath Rockwell (Chair, California Lawyers Association Privacy Law Section) and Stacey Gray, Director of Legislative Research & Analysis at the Future of Privacy Forum, will be leading a multi-session webinar series, CPRA Law + Tech, that focuses on the technologies and data practices at the heart of emerging state privacy legislation, including the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). (more…)

Building AI and Machine Learning Technologies: Data Licensing Tips and Traps

Data is the fuel for software development, and developers use historical data from existing products to train algorithms and build AI and machine learning models. Companies are well aware of privacy and regulatory restrictions on data use, but often do not consider the potential impact of data use restrictions on intellectual property ownership and use rights. (more…)

EU Council Publishes Changes to Artificial Intelligence Act Proposal

On 29 November 2021, the Slovenian Presidency (the “Presidency”) of the European Council published its compromise text (“Compromise Text”) on the European Union’s (“EU”) draft Artificial Intelligence Act (“AI Act” or “Act”) alongside a progress report on the Act. While the overall structure of the AI Act and many of its key provisions (including, those relating to potential fines for non-compliance), remain the same, there are some significant proposed changes to the Act which we have noted below including, for example, a new Article on general purpose AI systems. (more…)

5 Global Data Protection Trends To Watch In 2022

*This article was first published by Law360 on January 3, 2022.

A recent discussion with Elizabeth Denham and Claudia Berg of the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office provided ample food for thought on the direction in which data protection regulation both in the U.K. and internationally is headed, including key trends to watch for in data protection.

View article.

FTC Announces it May Pursue Rulemaking to Combat Discrimination in AI

On December 10, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it is considering a rulemaking on commercial Artificial Intelligence (AI). The purpose of the rulemaking, according to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) titled “Trade Regulation in Commercial Surveillance,” would be “to curb lax security practices, limit privacy abuses, and ensure that algorithmic decision-making does not result in unlawful discrimination.”

While not formally part of the rulemaking process mandated by the Administrative Procedure Act, advanced notices allow agencies to solicit public comment before drafting more specific proposals. The FTC has not yet issued privacy or artificial intelligence rules, though it has indicated that such rulemaking is on the horizon.  The December 10 ANPRM is another signal that the FTC is gearing up to develop substantive privacy guidelines. (more…)

How Artificial Intelligence Manufacturers Can Protect Themselves Against Future Negligence Claims

Innovative medical devices have changed the healthcare landscape and will continue making dramatic improvements in patient care. Nevertheless, the growth of such devices will inevitably lead to increased litigation over their alleged failures. All companies developing healthcare tech therefore need to consider measures to protect themselves against potential claims. (more…)

National AI Strategy: The UK Government Publishes Its Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Next Decade

On 22 September 2021, the UK Government (the “Government”) published its Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) strategy. The paper outlines the Government’s plan to make Britain a “global superpower” in the AI arena, and sets out an agenda to build the most “pro-innovation regulatory environment in the world”. This post highlights some of the key elements from the UK AI strategy. Significantly, the UK’s proposed approach may diverge in some respects from the EU’s GDPR. For example, the UK strategy includes consideration of whether to drop Article 22’s restrictions on automated decision-making, and whether to maintain the UK’s current sectoral approach to AI regulation.  The UK will publish a White Paper on regulating AI in early 2022, which will provide a basis for further consultation and discussion with interested or affected groups before draft legislation is formally presented to the UK Parliament. (more…)