Commerce Privacy Specialist Josh Harris Joins Future of Privacy Forum as Policy Director

Commerce Privacy Specialist Josh Harris Joins Future of Privacy Forum as Policy Director

Washington, DC, January 14, 2014 —  The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), a  Washington, DC-based think tank advancing responsible data use and consumer privacy, today announced that former Department of Commerce staffer Josh Harris has joined FPF as its Policy Director.  In this role, Mr. Harris will be coordinating FPF’s focus on cutting-edge privacy issues.  Mr. Harris will report to FPF Executive Director Jules Polonetsky.

Mr. Harris brings to FPF his seven years of experience in the International Trade Administration’s Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce.  In this capacity, Mr. Harris worked to develop and implement the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System.  In 2012, Mr. Harris received the United States Department of Commerce Gold Medal – the highest award offered by the Department – for his work in this area.  In 2004, he was selected to the White House’s Presidential Management Fellowship program.  Previously, Mr. Harris served as the Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Privacy and Information Security Committee.

FPF Founder and Co-Chair Christopher Wolf commented on Mr. Harris’s new role as Policy Director by saying “Josh’s experience developing and implementing privacy-based codes of conduct is an extremely valuable asset to FPF’s mission to develop best practices for the responsible use of data.”

FPF’s Executive Director and Co-Chair, Jules Polonetsky said, “Josh has the kind of practical, hands-on experience in the privacy field that will make a great addition to our FPF Team.  We’re very glad to have him onboard.”

Commenting on his new appointment, Josh Harris said: “I am honored to have the opportunity to help advance FPF’s important privacy work, along with Jules and Chris, Senior Fellows Mary Culnan, Peter Swire, Omer Tene, and the Junior Fellows.”

If you are interested in learning more about Future of Privacy Forum, please email [email protected] or call 202-642-9142.

The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) is a Washington, DC based think tank that seeks to advance responsible data practices. The forum is led by Internet privacy experts Jules Polonetsky and Christopher Wolf and includes an advisory board comprised of leading figures from industry, academia, law and advocacy groups.