# Bridging Privacy Definitions This working group - composed of privacy experts across disciplines - explores the range of privacy-related definitions from law, computer science, and social science, covering topics such as measures of informational harm, de-identification techniques, formal privacy models such as differential privacy, and privacy standards from laws such as FERPA and HIPAA. The group explores the nature of these definitions, the relationships and gaps between them, and potential methods of bridging the disciplinary divide. A recent product from this working group is a [methodology](/publications/bridging-gap-between-computer-science-and-legal-approaches-privacy) for extracting a mathematical model from a legal standard such as FERPA. This product can be used to demonstrate that a privacy technology satisfies any given legal standard. For the 2016-2017 year, we plan to focus on questions related to the broad conceptualization of informational harms, including group harms like discrimination and their relationship to the types of harms addressed by formal privacy definitions like differential privacy. We are also looking to develop methods for setting formal privacy parameters (like the differential privacy parameter epsilon) based on accepted legal, ethical, and social notions. We are excited to hear from anyone seeking to explore multidisciplinary approaches to privacy. For more information and to join our mailing list, please contact Lindsay Froess at ### People expand\_more [### Salil Vadhan ](/people/salil-vadhan)Principal Investigator Vicky Joseph Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, SEAS, Harvard ![salil-vadhan.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/privacytools/files/salil-vadhan.jpg?itok=Ba7yWYPB) [### Micah Altman ](/people/micah-altman)Director of Research and Head/Scientist, Program on Information Science for the MIT Libraries, MIT Non-Resident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution Current Member of Datatags Team ![drmaltman_1315862855_45.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/drmaltman_1315862855_45.jpg?itok=UAYee9D8) [### Suso Baleato ](/people/suso-baleato)Postdoctoral Research Fellow, IQSS ![suso](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/privacytools/files/suso_baleato.png?itok=VyMy8BW9) [### Aaron Bembenek ](/people/aaron-bembenek)Graduate researcher (summer 2015), Special Student affiliated with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University Graduate researcher (fall 2015) ![aaron.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/privacytools/files/aaron.jpg?itok=AkG8pZpG) [### Mark Bun ](/people/mark-bun)PhD student (NDSEG fellowship), Theory of Computation group, Harvard Past Personnel ![mark-bun.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/privacytools/files/mark-bun.jpg?itok=gg6VKywg) [### Marco Gaboardi ](/people/marco-gaboardi)Visiting Scholar, Center for Research on Computation & Society State University of New York at Buffalo Current Member of Datatags Team ![io.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/privacytools/files/io.jpg?itok=zB7vqRoi) - Previous page chevron\_left - [1](?page=0 "Current page") - [2](?page=1 "Go to page 2") - [3](?page=2 "Go to page 3") - [ Next page chevron\_right ](?page=1 "Go to next page") ### Publications expand\_more Download 6 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_agenda%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_grants%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_research1234567%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=92301&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_presentations%5D&&&format=ris) ### 2018 K. Nissim, Bembenek, Wood, Bun, Gaboardi, U. Gasser, O’Brien, Steinke, and S. Vadhan. 2018. “[Bridging the Gap Between Computer Science and Legal Approaches to Privacy ](/publications/bridging-gap-between-computer-science-and-legal-approaches-privacy)”. In , 2nd ed., 31:Pp. 687-780. Harvard Journal of Law & Technology K. Nissim, Bembenek, Wood, Bun, Gaboardi, U. Gasser, O’Brien, Steinke, and S. Vadhan. 2018. “[Bridging the Gap Between Computer Science and Legal Approaches to Privacy ](/publications/bridging-gap-between-computer-science-and-legal-approaches-privacy)”. In , 2nd ed., 31:Pp. 687-780. Harvard Journal of Law & Technology - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://jolt.law.harvard.edu/assets/articlePDFs/v31/02.-Article-Wood-7.21.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/02.-article-wood-7.21.pdf) The fields of law and computer science incorporate contrasting notions of the privacy risks associated with the analysis and release of statistical data about individuals and groups of individuals. Emerging concepts from the theoretical computer science... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://jolt.law.harvard.edu/assets/articlePDFs/v31/02.-Article-Wood-7.21.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/02.-article-wood-7.21.pdf) ### 2016 Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Recoding Privacy Law: Reflections on the Future Relationship Among Law, Technology, and Privacy](/publications/recoding-privacy-law-reflections-future-relationship-among-law-technology)”. Harvard Law Review Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Recoding Privacy Law: Reflections on the Future Relationship Among Law, Technology, and Privacy](/publications/recoding-privacy-law-reflections-future-relationship-among-law-technology)”. Harvard Law Review - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://harvardlawreview.org/2016/12/recoding-privacy-law-reflections-on-the-future-relationship-among-law-technology-and-privacy/) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://harvardlawreview.org/2016/12/recoding-privacy-law-reflections-on-the-future-relationship-among-law-technology-and-privacy/) Effy Vayena, Urs Gasser, Alexandra Wood, David R. O’Brien, and Micah Altman. 2016. “[Elements of a New Ethical Framework for Big Data Research](/publications/elements-new-ethical-framework-big-data-research)”. Washington and Lee Law Review, 72, 3 Effy Vayena, Urs Gasser, Alexandra Wood, David R. O’Brien, and Micah Altman. 2016. “[Elements of a New Ethical Framework for Big Data Research](/publications/elements-new-ethical-framework-big-data-research)”. Washington and Lee Law Review, 72, 3 - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://lawreview.journals.wlu.io/elements-of-a-new-ethical-framework-for-big-data-research/) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/elements_of_a_new_ethical_framework_for_big_data_research.pdf) merging large-scale data sources hold tremendous potential for new scientific research into human biology, behaviors, and relationships. At the same time, big data research presents privacy and ethical challenges that the current regulatory framework is... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://lawreview.journals.wlu.io/elements-of-a-new-ethical-framework-for-big-data-research/) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/elements_of_a_new_ethical_framework_for_big_data_research.pdf) Micah Altman, Alexandra Wood, David O’Brien, Salil Vadhan, and Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Towards a Modern Approach to Privacy-Aware Government Data Releases](/publications/towards-modern-approach-privacy-aware-government-data-releases)”. Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 30, 3 Micah Altman, Alexandra Wood, David O’Brien, Salil Vadhan, and Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Towards a Modern Approach to Privacy-Aware Government Data Releases](/publications/towards-modern-approach-privacy-aware-government-data-releases)”. Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 30, 3 - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/modernopendataprivacy.pdf) This article summarizes research exploring various models by which governments release data to the public and the interventions in place to protect the privacy of individuals in the data. Applying concepts from the recent scientific and legal literature... - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/modernopendataprivacy.pdf) Micah Altman, Alexandra Wood, David R. O’Brien, and Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Practical Approaches to Big Data Privacy Over Time](/publications/practical-approaches-big-data-privacy-over-time)” Micah Altman, Alexandra Wood, David R. O’Brien, and Urs Gasser. 2016. “[Practical Approaches to Big Data Privacy Over Time](/publications/practical-approaches-big-data-privacy-over-time)” - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/altman-et-al.-practical-approaches-to-big-data-privacy-over-time.pdf) Increasingly, governments and businesses are collecting, analyzing, and sharing detailed information about individuals over long periods of time. Vast quantities of data from new sources and novel methods for large-scale data analysis promise to yield... - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum6656/files/privacytools/files/altman-et-al.-practical-approaches-to-big-data-privacy-over-time.pdf) ### 2015 David O’Brien, Jonathan Ullman, Micah Altman, Urs Gasser, Michael Bar-Sinai, Kobbi Nissim, Salil Vadhan, Michael Wojcik, and Alexandra Wood. 2015. “[Integrating Approaches to Privacy Across the Research Lifecycle: When Is Information Purely Public?](/publications/integrating-approaches-privacy-across-research-lifecycle-when-information)”. Social Science Research Network David O’Brien, Jonathan Ullman, Micah Altman, Urs Gasser, Michael Bar-Sinai, Kobbi Nissim, Salil Vadhan, Michael Wojcik, and Alexandra Wood. 2015. “[Integrating Approaches to Privacy Across the Research Lifecycle: When Is Information Purely Public?](/publications/integrating-approaches-privacy-across-research-lifecycle-when-information)”. Social Science Research Network - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2586158) On September 24-25, 2013, the Privacy Tools for Sharing Research Data project at Harvard University held a workshop titled "Integrating Approaches to Privacy across the Research Data Lifecycle." Over forty leading experts in computer science, statistics... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2586158) - Previous page chevron\_left - [1](?page=0%2C0 "Current page") - [2](?page=1%2C0 "Go to page 2") - [3](?page=2%2C0 "Go to page 3") - [ Next page chevron\_right ](?page=1%2C0 "Go to next page") ### Policy Commentary expand\_more **2018 Submitted Comments**- On March 13, 2018, members of the Privacy Tools team submitted comments to the Chief Statistician of the United States and the Statistical and Science Policy Branch in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. In response to a request for information, the comments focus on privacy or confidentiality issues that arise when combining data from multiple sources in the course of federal statistical activities. See [PDF](/file_url/790) here. **2017 Submitted Comments** - On October 2, 2017, members of the Privacy Tools team submitted comments on the Future of Privacy Forum's proposed Open Data Risk Assessment for the City of Seattle. These comments informed the Future of Privacy Forum's report guiding the City of Seattle and other municipalities on the development of privacy-protective open data programs. Link to comments: [https://fpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Wood-Altman-Baleato-Vadhan\_Comments-on-FPF-Seattle-Open-Data-Draft-Report.pdf](https://fpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Wood-Altman-Baleato-Vadhan_Comments-on-FPF-Seattle-Open-Data-Draft-Report.pdf). More details about the FPF Report: **2016 Submitted Comments**- Members of the project team (PI Salil Vadhan, Co-PI Edo Airoldi, Co-PI Urs Gasser, Co-Investigator Micah Altman, Research Fellow Yves-Alexandre de Montjoye, Sr. Researcher David R. O'Brien, and Research Fellow Alexandra Wood) submitted comments on the Proposed Rules to Revise the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects ("Common Rule"), HHS-OPHS-2015-0008 (January 6, 2016). This commentary is available at [http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=HHS-OPHS-2015-0008-2015…](http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=HHS-OPHS-2015-0008-2015 ); - On May 23, 2016, Micah Altman provided testimony and written comments in a Hearing on “De-Identification and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)" before the Subcommittee on Privacy, Confidentiality & Security, National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics: ). **2014 Submitted Comments**- M. Altman, O’Brien, D., Vadhan, S., and Wood, A., “[Comment to The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Big Data Study, Request for Information](/publications/comment-white-house-office-science-and-technology-policy-ostp-big-data)”. 2014.[Abstract](/publications/comment-white-house-office-science-and-technology-policy-ostp-big-data) [whitehousebigdataresponse1.pdf](/file_url/435) - M. Altman, “[Comment to the Federal Trade Commission on Mobile Device Tracking](/publications/comment-federal-trade-commission-mobile-device-tracking)”. 2014. [ftcmobileprivacycomment-140327134835-phpapp01.pdf ](/file_url/395)[Configure](/publications?page=2#) - M. Altman, O’Brien, D., Vadhan, S., and Wood, A., “[Comment to The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Big Data Study, Request for Information](/publications/comment-white-house-office-science-and-technology-policy-ostp-big-data)”. 2014. [Abstract](/publications/comment-white-house-office-science-and-technology-policy-ostp-big-data) [whitehousebigdataresponse1.pdf](/file_url/435) - D. J. Weitzner, et al., “Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and Big Data: Response to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Request for Information”. 2014.[Abstract](/publications/consumer-privacy-bill-rights-and-big-data) [PDF version](/file_url/264) - M. Altman, O’Brien, D., and Wood, A., “Comment on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Proposed Rule: Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses; Extension of Comment Period”. 2014. [Full Text at Regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=OSHA-2013-0023-1207) [PDF version of comments](/file_url/261) [whitehousebigdataresponse.pdf](/files/privacytools/files/whitehousebigdataresponse.pdf) **2013 **Submitted Comments****- M. Altman, M. Crosas, et al.,on behalf on DataPASS, “Response to the National Institute of Health Request Information: Input on Development of NIH Data Catalog". 2013. [PDF version of comments ](http://data-pass.org/sites/default/files/NIHRFIResponse-DataCatalog.pdf)