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BITAG Announces Technical Review Focused on Internet Data Collection & Privacy
From: "Dave Farber" <farber () gmail com>
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2017 11:09:01 -0400
BITAG Announces Technical Review Focused on Internet Data Collection and Privacy Report aims to shed light on data collection from and about Internet users, while highlighting technical observations, and will suggest appropriate best practices Denver, CO (September 27, 2017): The Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG) is pleased to announce a review focused on the technical aspects of Internet of data collection and privacy. This topic will result in a report with an anticipated publication date in early 2018. In various contexts, different organizations are studying data collection practices and privacy in the Internet “ecosystem” and public discourse has suggested there is a significant gap between perceived and actual data collection practices. Much of this discourse has also been focused on one set of actors or another, without a more holistic consideration of the significant roles played by a broad cross-section of all those involved, ranging from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to edge providers, advertising networks, application developers, equipment manufacturers, and others. Often, the discussion is not sufficiently informed by technical information regarding actual practices. BITAG’s report on Internet data collection and privacy will draw on concrete, specific technical information and aims to shed light on the current state of data collection practices, including: what types of data are collected, where and how collection takes place, and for what purposes the data is used (e.g., operational, service related). The report will also investigate and report on how these practices vary across the broader Internet ecosystem; the report will discuss the roles various parts of the Internet ecosystem play in collecting data from and about Internet users, the analytic tools and methods that various stakeholders apply to the collected data, how different stakeholders use the data, and more. BITAG’s technical working group will analyze this topic and issue a report that will describe the issue in depth, highlight technical observations, and suggest appropriate best practices. The lead editors of BITAG’s report on IoT security and privacy are Jason Livingood of Comcast and Nick Feamster, Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University. Douglas Sicker, Executive Director of BITAG, Chair of BITAG’s Technical Working Group, Department Head of Engineering and Public Policy and a professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, will chair the review itself. This will be BITAG’s tenth technical review and report. BITAG’s recent reports have focused on: IoT security and privacy, differentiation of Internet traffic, Internet interconnection, real-time network management of Internet congestion, and port blocking, among other topics. Copies of these technical reports can be found on the BITAG website at www.bitag.org. Attached is a copy of the press release and below is more information on BITAG, its structure, and processes. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. Doug Douglas C. Sicker Executive Director Chair of the Technical Working Group Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG) dsicker () bitag org About BITAG. BITAG is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization focused on bringing together engineers and technologists in a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop consensus on broadband network management practices and other related technical issues that can affect users’ Internet experience, including the impact to and from applications, content and devices that utilize the Internet. BITAG’s mission includes: (a) educating policymakers on such technical issues; (b) addressing specific technical matters in an effort to minimize related policy disputes; and (c) serving as a sounding board for new ideas and network management practices. Specific TWG functions also may include: (i) identifying “best practices” by broadband providers and other entities; (ii) interpreting and applying “safe harbor” practices; (iii) otherwise providing technical guidance to industry and to the public; and/or (iv) issuing advisory opinions on the technical issues germane to the TWG’s mission that may underlie disputes concerning broadband network management practices. BITAG TWG reports focus primarily on technical issues, especially those with the potential to be construed as anti-competitive, discriminatory, or otherwise motivated by non-technical factors. While reports may touch on a wide range of questions associated with a particular network management practice, the reports are not intended to address or analyze in a comprehensive fashion the economic, legal, regulatory or public policy issues that the practice may raise. BITAG Leadership — Executive Director & Chair of the Technical Working Group — Dr. Douglas C. Sicker is BITAG’s Executive Director and Chair of the Technical Working Group. Doug is also currently the Department Head and professor of Engineering and Public Policy with a joint appointment in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, as well as Chief Strategist of CMMB Vision. Previously, Doug was the DBC Endowed Professor in the Dept. of Computer Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder with a joint appointment in, and director of, the Interdisciplinary Telecommunications Program. Doug recently served as the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Advisor for Spectrum at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Doug also served as the Chief Technology Officer of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Deputy Director & General Counsel — Kaleb A. Sieh is BITAG’s Deputy Director and General Counsel, where he performs an operations and legal role. Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Silicon Flatirons Center at the University of Colorado Law School, where he engaged in research and writing in telecommunications law, technology, and policy. He received his J.D. from CU-Law and his B.A. in Economics from CU as well. About BITAG’s Technical Review Process. BITAG’s core substantive work is performed through its Technical Working Group (TWG), which was formed with the core principles of being: technically driven, balanced, open, efficient, independent, and flexible. The TWG reviews technical issues brought to it through Review Requests submitted by both Members and non-Members, or through a majority weighted vote of the TWG engineers themselves. Each individual Review is taken up by a Committee of the TWG that is composed of engineers and technical experts representing a broad cross section of the Internet ecosystem. TWG Committees generally operate on a consensus basis, with backstop weighted voting procedures so that when consensus cannot be achieved, each Member category has an equal say in the work product regardless of the composition of the Committee. Finally, BITAG was structured to work as expeditiously as possible, with each Committee operating under a 120-day “shot clock” to complete the respective review and attendant technical report. Questions, Suggestions, or Topics? BITAG welcomes any questions, comments or suggestions. Also, if you are interested in submitting a technical topic to BITAG, please contact our Deputy Director at ksieh () bitag org.
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- BITAG Announces Technical Review Focused on Internet Data Collection & Privacy Dave Farber (Sep 27)