rich bio-lecture

Jessica Rich

Executive Director - The Privacy and Big Data Institute at Ryerson University

As Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, Ms. Rich oversees a staff of hundreds of attorneys, investigators, and support staff working to protect consumers from deceptive and unfair practices in the commercial marketplace. The Bureau accomplishes its mission through law enforcement, consumer and business education, and policy initiatives to stop fraud and deceptive advertising, protect privacy, and promote compliance with the consumer protection laws.

During her 20+ year tenure at the agency, Ms. Rich has held a number of other senior positions, including Deputy Director of the Bureau, Associate Director of the Division of Financial Practices, and Acting Associate Director of the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. Her accomplishments include:

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the FTC's mission, Ms. Rich has received numerous Commission awards, including the Chairman's Award, the agency's highest award for meritorious service. Ms. Rich started her career in private practice in New York City and is a graduate of Harvard University and New York University Law School.

• developing the FTC's first privacy and data security cases against such companies as Microsoft, TJX, DSW Shoe Warehouse, and ChoicePoint;
• launching the FTC's first work in the mobile arena, including by establishing the FTC's Mobile Technology Unit;
• developing the FTC's first cases to challenge unfair and deceptive practices involving mobile payments, including cases against Apple, Google, Amazon, T-Mobile, and AT&T;
• bringing the FTC's first actions to enforce company commitments under the US/EU Safe Harbor Framework;
• developing a variety of trade regulations, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Safeguards Rule; and
• building the FTC's privacy program from a small team to one of the FTC's signature programs.

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