SmartData: The Need, the Goal and the Challenge

Technology must form an integral component in the defense of our personal privacy. Policies and regulations will serve, at best, as lagging remedies in the fast-paced world of cyberspace. In a world where personal information can increasingly be transmitted and used in multiple locations simultaneously, protecting privacy may only truly be accomplished if the information itself becomes “intelligent” and capable of making appropriate decisions relating to its release, on behalf of the data subject. In other words, the data must become smart—we need SmartData. This presentation will discuss the growing need, the challenges, and ultimately, the benefits of developing intelligent agents to protect our privacy online.