IAPP’s Global Privacy Summit kicked off on April 22 with keynote remarks from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Melissa Holyoak, who highlighted her top priorities for privacy enforcement and the digital economy.  

The Commissioner identified several principles that drive her privacy priorities. She focused on the importance of protecting consumers while allowing innovation to flourish. She indicated that the FTC should leverage existing legal authorities, rather than “stretch” legal authorities and theories under Section 5 of the FTC Act. She also emphasized the importance of taking a flexible and balanced approach to enforcement and ensuring that the FTC understands the complex digital economy, following adequate study.