Internet Policy Task Force
The Commerce Department Office of the Secretary, leveraging the expertise of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”), the Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO"), the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST), and the International Trade Administration (“ITA”), has created an Internet Policy Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of the nexus between privacy policy, copyright, global free flow of information, cybersecurity, and innovation in the Internet economy.
Recognizing the vital importance of the Internet to U.S. innovation, prosperity, education and political and cultural life, the Commerce Department has made it a top priority to ensure that the Internet remains open for innovation. The newly created Internet Policy Task Force will identify leading public policy and operational challenges in the Internet environment. The Task Force leverages expertise across many bureaus, including those responsible for domestic and international information and communications technology policy, international trade, cyber security standards and best practices, intellectual property, business advocacy and export control.
Task Force Initiatives
- Privacy (NTIA, ITA, NIST)
- Copyright (PTO, NTIA)
- Global Free Flow of Information (ITA, NTIA)
- Cybersecurity (OS, NIST, NTIA)
Related content
Multistakeholder Process To Develop Consumer Data Privacy Code of Conduct Concerning Facial Recognition Technology
ACTION: Notice of open meetings.
SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will convene meetings of a privacy multistakeholder process concerning the commercial use of facial recognition technology. This Notice announces the meetings to be held in February, March, April, May, and June 2014. The first meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2014.
Remarks by Assistant Secretary Strickling at American European Community Association (AECA) Conference
Remarks by Lawrence E. Strickling
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information
“Data Protection: The Challenges and Opportunities for Individuals and Businesses”
American European Community Association (AECA) Conference
Brussels, Belgium
December 3, 2013
-As prepared for delivery-
Privacy and Facial Recognition Technology
Today, we are launching a new privacy multistakeholder process on commercial use of facial recognition technology. Facial recognition technology uses software to help identify a person based on a digital image.
Companies are beginning to use facial recognition for a wide range of commercial applications. Businesses are incorporating facial recognition capabilities into photo management software, in-store camera systems, online services, game consoles, and mobile devices. Facial recognition technology has the potential to improve services for consumers, support innovation by businesses, and affect identification and authentication online and offline. However, the technology poses distinct consumer privacy challenges. Digital images are increasingly available, and the importance of securing faceprints and ensuring consumers’ appropriate control over their data is clear. For this new multistakeholder process, discussions could include an examination of the privacy risks associated with the use of photo databases in stores and other commercial settings and face prints as a unique biometric identifier.