FTC to Host Workshop on Measuring Consumer Injuries and Benefits in Data-Driven Economy

USA: FTC to Host Workshop on Measuring Consumer Injuries and Benefits in Data-Driven Economy

Workshop Overview

A workshop organized by the Federal Trade Commission is scheduled for February 26, 2026, to explore how the agency can more effectively understand and quantify consumer injuries and benefits that arise from the collection, use, or disclosure of personal data. The event will be held both online and in person at the FTC’s Constitution Center, located at 400 7th St SW, Washington, DC, and is open to the public at no cost.

Key Discussion Topics

Participants will examine a range of subjects, including methods for quantifying informational injuries, assessing the potential advantages of consumer data collection, evaluating the impacts of data breaches, and analyzing the costs and benefits of behavioral and contextual advertising. Additional focus will be placed on measuring consumers’ privacy preferences, beliefs, and decision‑making processes.

Historical Context

The upcoming session builds on a prior FTC workshop held in December 2017. Over the intervening eight years, the volume and sophistication of consumer data gathering have expanded rapidly, prompting a need to update measurement frameworks and policy considerations.

Public Participation

The workshop is free and does not require registration. Further details, including a webcast link, will be posted on the FTC’s event page in the weeks leading up to the meeting, ensuring broad accessibility for stakeholders and interested members of the public.

Agency Perspective

According to the FTC’s mission to promote competition and protect consumers, the agency seeks to develop clearer metrics that can inform future regulatory actions and consumer education initiatives related to data‑driven practices.

Looking Ahead

Outcomes from the discussion are expected to guide the FTC’s approach to measuring privacy‑related harms and benefits, ultimately supporting more informed policy decisions in the evolving digital economy.This report is based on information from Federal Trade Commission, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.