Kobbi Nissim: A Methodology Towards Reconciling Computer Science and Legal Approaches to Privacy

Abstract: Recognition is growing of the significant gaps between law and computer science that create potential risks for privacy and data protection within sociotechnical systems. These gaps need to be bridged to ensure that computer systems are designed and implemented to correctly address applicable legal requirements and that interpretations of legal concepts accurately reflect the capabilities and limitations of technical systems. We will explore some of the gaps between the legal and computer science views of privacy and suggest directions towards mitigating them while respecting the values and principles of both disciplines. Partly based on work in progress with Micah Altman and Aloni Cohen. Bio: Kobbi Nissim is a Professor of Computer Science at the Department of Computer Science, Georgetown University and an Affiliate Professor at Georgetown Law. Before Joining Georgetown, he was at the Department of Computer Science, Ben-Gurion University and a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Research on Computation and Society, Harvard University. He studied at the Weizmann Institute of Science under the supervision of professor Moni Naor. Nissim’s work from 2003 and 2004 with Dinur and Dwork initiated rigorous foundational research of privacy and in 2006 he introduced Differential Privacy with Dwork, McSherry and Smith. Nissim is a fellow of the IACR. He was awarded the Paris Kanellakis Theory and Practice Award in 2021, Caspar Bowden Outstanding Research in Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) award in 2019, the Godel Prize In 2017, the IACR TCC Test of Time Award in 2016 and 2018, and the ACM PODS Alberto O. Mendelzon Test-of-Time Award in 2013. OpenMined is a non-profit foundation creating open-source technology infrastructure that helps researchers get answers from data without needing a copy or direct access. Our community of technologists is building Syft: the public network for non-public information. Learn more → www.openmined.org Supported by the OpenMined Foundation, the OpenMined Community is an online ecosystem of over 17,000 technologists, researchers, and industry professionals keen to unlock 1000x more data in every scientific field and industry. Join us on Slack → slack.openmined.org LinkedIn → www.linkedin.com/company/openmined X/Twitter → x.com/openminedorg Facebook → fb.com/openminedorg