cavoukian bio-lecture

Ann Cavuokian

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

Dr. Ann Cavoukian is recognized as one of the world's leading privacy experts. Appointed as the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Canada in 1997, Dr. Cavoukian served for an unprecedented three terms as Commissioner. In that time, she elevated the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner from a novice regulatory body to a first-class agency, known around the world for its cutting edge innovation and leadership. Her Privacy by Design framework seeks to proactively embed privacy into the design specifications of information technologies and business practices, thereby achieving the strongest protection possible. In October 2010, regulators at the conference of International Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Jerusalem unanimously passed a Resolution recognizing Privacy by Design as an essential component of fundamental privacy protection. This was followed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's inclusion of Privacy by Design as one of three recommended practices for protecting online privacy – a major validation of its significance.  In November 2011, Dr. Cavoukian was ranked as one of the top 25 Women of Influence, recognizing her contribution to the Canadian and global economy. In October 2013, she was named one of the top 100 City Innovators Worldwide by UBM Future Cities for her passionate advocacy of Privacy by Design. In December 2013, the Founding Partners of the Respect Network, the world's first peer-to-peer network for personal and business clouds, named Dr. Cavoukian as its first Honorary Architect. In August 2014, Dr. Cavoukian was chosen as one of the 'Power 50' in Canadian Business magazine for her efforts as a privacy champion. As of July 1, 2014, she began a new position at Ryerson University as the Executive Director of the Privacy and Big Data Institute – Where Big Data meets Big Privacy.

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