Tech

Data Protection Commission ‘should hire from Big Tech to complete leadership team’

James Lawless says watchdog’s leadership team should not be packed with civil servants

Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless: ‘I knew there was a lot of interest.’ Picture: RollingNews.ie

Ireland’s data watchdog must not be packed with civil servants and should instead hire from the tech industry for its final new commissioner, a Fianna Fáil TD has warned, after the agency failed to secure a full complement of new bosses.

James Lawless said that the Data Protection Commission (DPC), which last week had two new commissioners appointed to it, must ensure it has private sector expertise as it moves into a new era following the departure of Helen Dixon from the role.