As of 4 January, John Edwards became the new UK Information Commissioner for a five-year term. Mr. Edwards spent the past eight years as New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, and before that worked as a barrister. He succeeds Elizabeth Denham CBE.
Looking ahead to 2022, Mr Edwards will be working on the proposed reforms to the Data Protection Act and the introduction of the Online Safety Bill. He will also prioritise the protection of children online, through the Age Appropriate Design Code, which has already prompted international tech companies to make changes to better respect children’s rights online.
One little known fact: In 1986 – 1987 Mr. Edwards worked as a mountaineer in the Search and Rescue Team at Mount Cook National Park. These skills may come in handy navigating the complex data protection landscape!
