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After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., I’m now back in the hustle and bustle of New York City, just in time to catch Game 1 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Dodgers. But enough about baseball, let’s dive into the highlights from the DC Privacy Summit I attended recently.
The summit was abuzz with discussions on privacy policies, with no mention of sports, surprisingly. As we approach the upcoming election, the rhetoric from industry leaders about collaborating with the next administration and engaging with policymakers has become somewhat repetitive.
However, amidst the usual banter, there were some standout quotes that caught my attention:
“Privacy doesn’t inherently mean the absence of data or anonymity of persons.”
Carole House, special adviser for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure policy at the White House National Security Council, emphasized the importance of finding a balance between protecting sensitive data and allowing for necessary disclosures.
“It takes dozens of roundtables for staff and members [of Congress] to really feel comfortable with having a hearing.”
Allison Behuniak, staff director for the House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion, highlighted the extensive groundwork required to bring crypto issues to the forefront of congressional discussions.
“We have to propose solutions that actually will address what policymakers are legitimately concerned about.”
Michele Korver, head of regulatory at a16z Crypto, stressed the importance of aligning industry solutions with policymakers’ concerns to ensure a safe and secure technology environment.
As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial for industry leaders to engage constructively with policymakers and address their legitimate concerns surrounding privacy and security.