George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Privacy in 2026: What Changed and What’s Next?

Event Details

  • Date: –
  • Division: Program on Economics and Privacy

Watch a recording of the Webinar on YouTube:

 

The past year has seen major shifts in privacy policy at both the FTC and in the states. Under the Trump administration, the FTC has abandoned some prior approaches while preserving others, creating a mix of change and continuity. At the same time, state lawmakers continue to move quickly on privacy and AI regulation.

In this virtual webinar, our panelists broke down the key developments from the past year and looked ahead to what’s coming in 2026.

Panelists

Maneesha Mithal, Partner, Data, Privacy, and Cybersecurity, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Maneesha Mithal is a partner in the Washington, DC office of Wilson Sonsini and co-chair of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice. Ms. Mithal advises clients on privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection matters and represents companies in regulatory investigations. She is also one of the founding members of Wilson Sonsini’s AI group.

 

Andrew Stivers, Managing Director, National Economic Research Associates, Inc.

Andrew Stivers specializes in the economics of consumer protection and privacy. He has developed and conducted analysis of novel and complex questions of consumer behavior and injury related to privacy, algorithmically driven practices, and cutting-edge promotion and advertising strategies. Prior to joining NERA, Dr. Stivers was a senior official in the US Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Economics, and he was directly involved in developing economic analysis and standards for evaluating novel and consequential matters.

Moderator: James C. Cooper, Professor of Law and Director, Program on Economics & Privacy, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

James C. Cooper brings over a decade of public and private sector experience to his research and teaching. Prior to joining the faculty at Scalia Law, he served as Deputy and Acting Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning, Advisor to Federal Trade Commissioner William Kovacic, and as an associate in the antitrust group of Crowell & Moring, LLP. His research focuses on the law & economics of privacy, data security, and consumer protection, as well as on wide variety of topics surrounding competition policy.

 

Questions? Please contact [email protected] or 703-993-8388.