The New York Times ran a story yesterday that describes the arrival of our “contextualized” existence—brought forth by predictive search apps that understand the context of your life and provide reminders, information and services based on what you are doing, where you are and what you might need next. Products like Google Now, Evernote and Cue are said to “know what you want, before you do.” In a front-page, above-the-fold story, the Times highlighted the fact that privacy remains, yet again, a central concern as we move towards this digital future.

The utility of these services is quite clear. Digital concierges that accurately predict what we will need to know, and when we will need to know it, could increase productivity and improve our lives. But how do we manage privacy concerns in these contextualized environments? We already struggle with the application of the fair information practices in mobile environments. Notice and choice are strained by the small screens and multi-party, multi-functional devices we carry in our pockets. Adding predictive search—with the expectation that such services scan many disparate data feeds to determine our contextual needs—only makes the role of the privacy professional, and the risks to privacy, more complicated.

At the IAPP Privacy Academy in Bellevue, WA, on October 1 and 2, we will have the opportunity to explore some of these challenges. And we will have a great duo—Robert Scoble and Shel Israel—provide a keynote on their upcoming book on our contextual future. Coincidentally, Shel and Robert have taken to social media for help with their chapter on privacy. They are asking for input on what we should expect with regard to privacy in the era of contextual and wearable computing.

So let’s help Robert and Shel as they finish up their book. Post your comments on “privacy in context” in our Privacy Perspectives discussion, and we will share them with the authors prior to the academy.