The U.K. Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced its approval of John Edwards' appointment as U.K. information commissioner. Following a pre-appointment hearing, DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight said Edwards "clearly understands the challenges facing the UK in a fast-moving digital landscape and the role the ICO will play." Edwards, who currently serves as New Zealand's privacy commissioner, will succeed U.K. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham when her term concludes at the end of October.