ICO Appoints Technology Policy Head

UK regulator the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has appointed an Executive Director for Technology Policy and Innovation. Simon McDougall, currently MD of IBM-owned consultancy Promontory, will seek to ensure privacy is embedded in new technologies and business systems.

Promontory is a risk management and regulatory compliance consulting firm, acquired in 2016 by IBM where McDougall founded and led a global privacy practice. He is well-known in the world of information rights, serving on the Board of Directors and the European Advisory Board at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) as well as other consultative and advisory groups.

The ICO says the appointment underlines its commitment to 'encouraging new ideas and emerging technologies while protecting people's privacy'. The Office has recently published its first Technology Strategy, outlining how it will plan ahead and setting out strategies for eight specific technology goals; announced a new Technology Fellowship programme with a two-year post-doctoral appointment to investigate and research the impact of AI on data privacy; and set out plans for a regulatory 'sandbox' where organisations can develop innovative products and services 'while benefitting from advice and support from the ICO'.

Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham says of the appointment: 'We have ambitious plans for our work in the crucial area of technology and also to ensure we are an innovative regulator, open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. As a globally respected figure in the world of privacy and innovation, Simon is a great fit for this new role, which will strengthen our expertise and responsiveness to new challenges and opportunities'.

The Office's web site is at www.ico.org.uk .