United Kingdom has issued a press update on the appointment of its next information commissioner and reports are because it is going to be John Edwards, who’s currently serving as Privacy Commissioner for New Zealand since 2014.
Factually speaking, an Information Commissioner plays a vital role in regurgitating data flow between companies and their customers, respectively. It helps in protecting the rights of citizens and offers a plan to companies on what to do and what not to do when it comes to data collection and its security.
UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) plays a vital role in regulating the GDPR and other data protection rights as per the Data Protection act of 2018. It acts as an independent body that acts on the NIS Directive, Freedom of Information Act, Network and Information Systems Regulation 2018 Act, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, that keep a track of complaints related to spam mails and disturbing phone calls.
Edwards was appointed as a privacy commissioner of New Zealand in 2014 and will complete his second term in the said post on August 31st,2021. After appearing before MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny on September 9th this year, he will take on the charge as an ICO from mid-September 2021.
Elizabeth Denham, who is serving as the present ICO, will resign from the post in a couple of days and is likely to take on a new designation by October end. She has well supported innovation in her tenure and won the trust of the public for data privacy and security.
