By: Nàdia Zougagh Aouaj, AI Innovation and Data Rights Research Fellow

At ZETA, we believe Gen-Z must have a voice in shaping how our private data is protected in the digital age. That’s why we recently submitted a formal letter to Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA) in response to her Request for Information on modernizing the Privacy Act of 1974. With emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing raising serious concerns around surveillance, bias, and data security, there’s an urgent need for bipartisan action to update outdated federal privacy rules. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a generational one, and restoring public trust in how our data is handled is essential for a healthy democracy.

In our letter, we emphasized that Gen-Z, the first fully digital generation, is both highly connected and highly exposed. Young people are already navigating government systems that manage student loans, healthcare benefits, and job applications. We urged Congress to protect individual control over private data, create needed oversight of AI, and invest in accessible digital consent tools. These reforms must come from both sides of the aisle to reflect the real-world concerns of everyday Americans. Privacy policy should evolve with technology, and Gen-Z is ready to help lead that process.

Read our full letter to Congresswoman Trahan here.