John Edwards
John Edwards begins his new role as UK Information Commissioner 4 January, 2022.
Mr. Edwards, who joins on a five year term, spent the past eight years as New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, and before that worked as a barrister.
He succeeds Elizabeth Denham CBE, whose term as UK Information Commissioner ended last year.
Mr. Edwards’ appointment comes at the start of a busy time for information rights in the UK. The ICO will be actively engaging with the government over the proposed reforms to the Data Protection Act and introduction of the Online Safety Bill, as well as strengthening links with other digital regulators. The ICO will also continue to prioritise its work to protect 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.
Mr. Edwards was educated in New Plymouth, New Zealand and achieved a Bachelor of Laws and Masters in Public Policy at the University of Wellington.
He worked as a solicitor and barrister for more than 14 years, including time as a policy adviser to the New Zealand Prime Minister and Cabinet around Freedom of Information.
From February 2014 to December 2021 he was New Zealand Privacy Commissioner. During that time he chaired the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners (now known as the Global Privacy Assembly), and was a member of the OECD’s Informal Group of Experts on Children in the Digital Environment.
Contributions by John Edwards
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European and UK Enforcement Trends — the Regulators’ Perspective
Speaker at IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2024 -
What It Means to Be ‘Adequate’: the Regulators’ Perspectives
Speaker at IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2024 -
Opening General Session
Speaker at IAPP Data Protection Intensive: UK 2024 -
Regulator Insights From Today to Help Design Privacy Rules for Tomorrow
Speaker at IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2023 -
Opening General Session
Speaker at IAPP Data Protection Intensive: UK 2023 -
A Commissioners’ Chat: Priorities for the ICO & BfDI
Speaker at IAPP Global Privacy Summit 2022 -
Opening General Session
Speaker at IAPP Data Protection Intensive: UK 2022 -
An Update on the Privacy Act 2020 from the Privacy Commissioner
Speaker at Wellington and Auckland KnowledgeNet: 13 May 2021 -
Influencing Privacy as a Priority: A Regulator’s Perspective
Web Conference Speaker -
The Privacy Commissioner on the Privacy Act 2020
Speaker at Auckland KnowledgeNet: 3 December 2020 -
New Zealand Privacy Act 2020... Are you ready?
Speaker at Virtual Sydney KnowledgeNet: 17 September 2020 -
The Current State of Play of the Privacy Bill
Speaker at Auckland KnowledgeNet: 26 November 2019 -
Musings of an Outspoken Regulator: A Conversation with the Privacy Commissioner
Speaker at IAPP ANZ Summit 2019 -
Closing General Session
Speaker at IAPP ANZ Summit 2019