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Willmary Escoto, Esquire

U.S. Policy Counsel

Willmary serves as the Policy Counsel for Access Now in the Washington D.C. region, where her work centers on the intersection of data protection, privacy, emerging technologies, and digital rights. With a keen focus on algorithmic bias and the implications for marginalized and vulnerable communities, her expertise extends to pivotal areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, and surveillance capitalism. Before her role at Access Now, Willmary was Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the National Hispanic Media Coalition. While in law school, she served as a Google Policy Fellow hosted by Public Knowledge in 2016. Willmary is a licensed attorney in Washington, D.C., holding a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Howard University School of Law. She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Legislative and Policy Subcommittee within the Hispanic Bar Association of DC, showcasing her commitment to shaping legal discourse impacting her local community. Additionally, Willmary dedicates her time and expertise as a volunteer for the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) KnowledgeNet Young Privacy Professional Volunteer initiative.
Govern AI to help people

U.S. lawmakers should govern AI to help people, not Big Tech companies’ interests

21 May 2024
Press Release
U.S. lawmakers should govern AI to help people, not Big Tech companies’ interests
21 May 2024
U.S. lawmakers should govern AI to help people, not Big Tech companies’ interests
Victory for digital equity: court upholds New York's broadband price cap for low-income families

Victory for digital equity: court upholds New York’s broadband price cap for low-income families

3 May 2024
Press Release
Victory for digital equity: court upholds New York’s broadband price cap for low-income families
3 May 2024
Victory for digital equity: court upholds New York’s broadband price cap for low-income families
Data protection

Data must be protected at home and abroad: Access Now calls for legislation following U.S. Executive Order

1 Mar 2024
Press Release
Data must be protected at home and abroad: Access Now calls for legislation following U.S. Executive Order
1 Mar 2024
Data must be protected at home and abroad: Access Now calls for legislation following U.S. Executive Order

U.S. Congress must oppose EARN IT Act, uphold freedom of expression and privacy

2 May 2023

Access Now is calling on the U.S. Congress to protect freedom of expression and privacy by opposing the EARN IT Act.

Press Release
U.S. Congress must oppose EARN IT Act, uphold freedom of expression and privacy
2 May 2023
U.S. Congress must oppose EARN IT Act, uphold freedom of expression and privacy
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Bill passed: “it’s a bad law”

Access Now NTIA Privacy Comments 2023

6 Mar 2023

Access Now’s feedback to the European Commission consultation on “Further specifying procedural rules relating to the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation.”

Publication
Access Now NTIA Privacy Comments 2023
6 Mar 2023
Access Now NTIA Privacy Comments 2023

New U.S. Cybersecurity Strategy: a strong step forward, with room for improvement

3 Mar 2023

Access Now commends the U.S.’s National Cybersecurity Strategy that centers “respect for human rights,” but it still falls short on collaboration with stakeholders abroad.

Press Release
New U.S. Cybersecurity Strategy: a strong step forward, with room for improvement
3 Mar 2023
New U.S. Cybersecurity Strategy: a strong step forward, with room for improvement
Personal data protection and privacy

Put privacy first: new FTC surveillance and data security rules must protect people

22 Nov 2022

Access Now calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect people from harmful data practices and surveillance.

Press Release
Put privacy first: new FTC surveillance and data security rules must protect people
22 Nov 2022
Put privacy first: new FTC surveillance and data security rules must protect people
deceptive designs US lawmakers

Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design

3 Nov 2022

“No more deceptive designs: dos and don’ts for responsible user experience practices” can help combat online manipulation.

Press Release
Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design
3 Nov 2022
Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design
deceptive designs US lawmakers

Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design

3 Nov 2022

“No more deceptive designs: dos and don’ts for responsible user experience practices” can help combat online manipulation.

Guide
Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design
3 Nov 2022
Stop the deception: dos and don’ts for responsible online design
Govern AI to help people

Access Now applauds U.S. Blueprint for AI Bill of Rights, but more safeguards needed

6 Oct 2022

Access Now welcomes the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, but highlights the need to address the discriminatory impacts of AI systems.

Press Release
Access Now applauds U.S. Blueprint for AI Bill of Rights, but more safeguards needed
6 Oct 2022
Access Now applauds U.S. Blueprint for AI Bill of Rights, but more safeguards needed