Why Privacy Laws Need to Change in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Privacy expert Daniel Solove has written in the Wall Street Journal that the current approach to protecting your personal information is not working, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more common. Right now, privacy laws mostly focus on giving people control over their own data, like asking permission before companies use it.

However, this system is failing to actually protect families from harm in the age of AI. This affects every family because almost everything we do involves sharing personal data. When you use social media, shop online, use apps on your phone, or even just browse websites, companies are collecting information about you and your children.

The problem is that clicking "I agree" on privacy policies doesn't really give you meaningful control, and it doesn't stop companies from using that data in ways that could harm you. Instead of relying on consent forms and privacy policies that nobody reads, Solove argues that we should hold companies accountable for what they do with our data, similar to how we regulate food and drug companies.

1. Companies would have to minimize how much data they collect in the first place.
2. Companies would have legal duties to protect your interests, not just their own profits.
3. Companies could be held liable if they are careless or reckless with your information.
4. Regulators would focus on what companies actually do with data, not just whether they got your permission. While these changes would need to happen through new laws and regulations, there are things you can do now to protect your family. Limit what information you share online when possible. Use privacy settings on apps and websites to restrict data collection. Teach your children to be cautious about what they post and share. Most importantly, support stronger privacy laws by contacting your elected representatives. The current system puts the burden on you to protect yourself, but real change will require holding companies responsible for protecting the personal information we entrust to them.