Elizabeth Denham

{{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Elizabeth Denham | honorific_suffix = CBE, LL.D. | image = Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner.jpg | alt = | caption = Elizabeth Denham | order = Fifth | office = Information Commissioner's Office{{!}}Information Commissioner | term_start = 18 July 2016<ref>{{cite press release |date=15 July 2016 |title=Elizabeth Denham to Start as New Information Commissioner |url=https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2016/07/elizabeth-denham-to-start-as-new-information-commissioner/ |publisher=Information Commissioner's Office |access-date=21 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192754/https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2016/07/elizabeth-denham-to-start-as-new-information-commissioner/ |archive-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=15 July 2016 |title=UK's New Information Commissioner Formally Appointed |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-new-information-commissioner-formally-appointed |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> | term_end = 30 November 2021 | predecessor = Christopher Graham | successor = John Edwards | pronunciation = | birth_name = | birth_date =  | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | spouse = | partner =  | children = | parents =  | alma_mater = University of British Columbia | occupation = | profession = | known_for = | salary = | net_worth =  | signature = | signature_alt = | office2 = Chair of the Jersey Data Protection Authority | term_start2 = 28 October 2024 | term_end2 = present }}

'''Elizabeth Denham''' CBE, LL. D. (hon.) is the Chair of the Jersey Data Protection Authority.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner - Jersey Data Protection Authority appoints new Chair |url=https://jerseyoic.org/news-articles/news/jersey-data-protection-authority-appoints-new-chair/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=jerseyoic.org}}</ref> Denham was previously the UK Information Commissioner at the Information Commissioner's Office in Cheshire from July 2016, taking over the role from Christopher Graham, until November 2021. Denham previously held the title of Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, having been appointed to that role in May 2010. Prior to this she had been the Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada from 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cba.org/CBA/cle/PDF/PRV11_Bio_Denham_E.pdf|title=Elizabeth Denham; Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Canada.|publisher=The Canadian Bar Association|date=October 3–5, 2011|accessdate=March 20, 2018|archive-date=16 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616112956/http://www.cba.org/CBA/cle/PDF/PRV11_Bio_Denham_E.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Denham is a trustee at 5Rights Foundation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://5rightsfoundation.com/about-us/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=5rights |language=en-US}}</ref> an organisation founded by Baroness Beeban Kidron to promote the rights of children online.

==Early life and education==

Denham studied at the University of British Columbia from 1977 to 1984 and holds a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in archival studies from the university's iSchool (Library, Archival and Information Studies).<ref>https://pacc-ccap.ca/congress/speakers-2/elizabeth-denham-2/{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Career==

During her time as Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Denham called for the proactive disclosure of records<ref name=vaughn>{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/vaughn+palmer+privacy+commissioner+elizabeth+denham+moving+bigger+things/11802530/story.html|title=B.C. Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham Moving on to Bigger Things|first=Vaughn|last=Palmer|work=Vancouver Sun|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=20 March 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320170148/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/vaughn+palmer+privacy+commissioner+elizabeth+denham+moving+bigger+things/11802530/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and published best practices for government ministries and public bodies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oipc.bc.ca/guidance-documents/1599|title=Guide to OIPC Processes|publisher=Office of the Information and Privacy Commission for British Columbia, (OIPC)|accessdate=March 20, 2018}}</ref> She also co-authored a guidance document called ''Getting Accountability Right with a Privacy Management Program''.

Denham was appointed UK Information Commissioner in July 2016. She and her office deal with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation, the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 across the UK; and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and, to a limited extent, in Scotland.

At the Information Commissioner's Office, she welcomed the introduction of the data protection laws that came into effect in May 2018, and focused on the role data protection must play in innovation, and the importance of organisations understanding the growing onus on companies to be accountable for what they do with personal data. She also called for the Freedom of Information Act to be extended to private bodies doing work on behalf of the public, and proposed a review of legislation around the duty to document information.

Denham has undertaken investigations into Equifax, WhatsApp, TalkTalk, Uber and Facebook, and oversaw the conclusion of the investigation of the Information Commissioner's Office into charities' fundraising activities. She issued a series of fines for companies behind nuisance marketing, and in December 2018 she welcomed the new law that enabled the Information Commissioner's Office to hold company bosses directly responsible and to fine them personally for breaches of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations.

In May 2017, Denham decided to look into potential unlawful marketing involving repurposing of data during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/17/inquiry-launched-into-how-uk-parties-target-voters-through-social-media|title=ICO to audit data protection practices at Leave.EU and Eldon Insurance after fining both companies for unlawful marketing messages|last=Booth|first=Robert|date=17 May 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 January 2023}}</ref> When Denham produced her final report in November 2020, she announced that she had "found no further evidence to change [her] earlier view that SCL Group and Cambridge Analytica were not involved in the EU referendum campaign in the UK."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/the-brexit-data-chancers-fooled-left-and-right-alike-lfn60l23h|title=The Brexit data chancers fooled left and right alike|last=Glancy|first=Josh|date=11 October 2020|work=The Times|access-date=22 January 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref> She also said she found no evidence of Russian involvement in the referendum.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/43962679-b1f9-4818-b569-b028a58c8cd2|title=ICO's final report into Cambridge Analytica invites regulatory questions|last=Kaminska|first=Izabella|date=8 October 2020|work=Financial Times|accessdate=22 January 2023}}</ref>

She launched the inaugural Data Protection Practitioner Award for Excellence in Data Protection at the 11th annual Information Commissioner's Office conference.

In January 2022, Denham started working at the London offices of global law firm Baker McKenzie<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/newsroom/2021/12/elizabeth-denham-joins-bm|title=Baker McKenzie Welcomes UK Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham to Global Data & Technology Team|accessdate=2 March 2022|archive-date=2 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302161049/https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/newsroom/2021/12/elizabeth-denham-joins-bm|url-status=dead}}</ref> in a move criticised as "extraordinary"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/loophole-allows-ex-uk-tech-watchdog-quick-switch-to-facebook-linked-firm/|title=UK urged to review lobbying rules after former privacy chief joins law firm|work=Politico|first=Vincent|last=Manancourt|date=5 December 2021|accessdate=2 March 2022}}</ref> in light of the firm having defended Facebook against regulatory action by the Information Commissioner's Office while Denham was in office, and the short timeframe between leaving office and the announcement being made by the firm.

She currently serves on the Advisory Boards or Boards of Director for Pacific Opera in Victoria, Canada;<ref name="Pacific Opera">{{cite web|url=https://pacificopera.ca/person/elizabeth-denham/|title="Elizabeth Denham"|website=pacificopera.ca|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> for 5Rights, a charity committed to children’s health and safety;<ref name="5Rights">{{cite web|url=https://5rightsfoundation.com/in-action/former-uk-information-commissioner-joins-5rights-foundation-board.html|title="Former UK Information Commissioner joins 5Rights Foundation Board"|date=11 April 2022|website=5rightsfoundation.com|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> for Oxford University’s Internet Institute;<ref name="Oxford Internet Institute">{{cite web|url=https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/profiles/elizabeth-denham/|title="Elizabeth Denham: Advisory Board Member"|date=October 2022|website=www.oii.ox.ac.uk|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> and for the International Association of Privacy Professionals.<ref name="About the IAPP">{{cite web|url=https://iapp.org/about/board/board-of-directors/|title="Board of Directors"|website=iapp.org|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>

Denham has also authored or co-authored a spate of opinions and articles in 2022: including the essay “Citizens first” for the academic journal Information Polity;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dl.acm.org/toc/inpol/2022/27/3|title=Information Polity: Volume 27, issue 3|website=dl.acm.org|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> a call for increasing collaboration among Canada’s digital regulators, posted to the C. D. Howe Institute’s website;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cdhowe.org/intelligence-memos/von-finckenstein-denham-canada-needs-coherent-digital-regulation-i|title="Canada Needs Coherent Digital Regulation"|date=15 June 2022|website=cdhowe.org|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref> and an opinion in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper that argued for coordinated, global efforts to create harmonized, comprehensive legal protections for children’s online safety.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-online-safety-kids-canada/|title="As lawmakers consider how to keep children safe online, they should look to Britain and California"|date=13 October 2022|website=theglobeandmail.com|access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>

==Awards and offices==

In 2011, Denham received the distinguished alumna award from UBC iSchool (Library, Archival and Information Studies) for her work in archives and the field of access and privacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slais.ubc.ca/about/alumni/distinguished-alumni-award/|title=Distinguished Alumni Award|publisher=UBC iSchool (Library, Archival and Information Studies)|accessdate=August 31, 2018}}</ref>

In 2013, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her service as an officer of the legislature of British Columbia, Canada.<ref name="ico.org.uk">{{cite web|url=https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/who-we-are/information-commissioner/|title=Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner|date=1 March 2018|website=ico.org.uk|accessdate=20 March 2018}}</ref>

In 2016, Denham was awarded the Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award for having been "a staunch advocate for access to information rights."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/winner-of-the-2016-grace-pepin-access-to-information-award-616838194.html|title=Winner of the 2016 Grace-Pépin Access to Information Award|website=www.newswire.ca|language=en|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>

In 2018, she was placed first in the DataIQ 100 Top 10.<ref>{{cite web |title=Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham takes number one slot in DataIQ 100 |url=https://www.dataiq.co.uk/news/information-commissioner-elizabeth-denham-takes-number-one-slot-dataiq-100 |website=DataIQ |accessdate=18 March 2019 |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409015823/https://www.dataiq.co.uk/news/information-commissioner-elizabeth-denham-takes-number-one-slot-dataiq-100 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Years Honours for services to protecting information.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queens List 31 December 2018|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/768173/NY19_Queens_List__4_.pdf|website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk|access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>

In 2020 she was announced as the winner of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT’s Society Medal as a result of her office's investigation into unlawful data collection practices by political campaigns.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BCS press release December 2020|url=https://www.bcs.org/more/about-us/press-office/press-releases/elizabeth-denham-cbe-awarded-society-medal-for-outstanding-contribution-to-it/}}</ref>

Denham served as Chair of the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners, later the Global Privacy Assembly, from 2018 until 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Committee |url=https://icdppc.org/the-conference-and-executive-committee/executive-committee/ |website=ICDPPC |accessdate=18 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327141944/https://icdppc.org/the-conference-and-executive-committee/executive-committee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalprivacyassembly.org/highlights-from-the-global-privacy-assembly-closed-session-2021/|title=Highlights from the Global Privacy Assembly Closed Session 2021|accessdate=2 March 2022}}</ref>

Denham received an honorary doctorate of laws in 2022 from the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, for recognition of her international contributions to privacy and access over decades.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall 2022 Honorary Degree Recipients | url=https://www.uvic.ca/ceremonies/convocation/traditions/honoraries/2022-hdrs/fall-2022-honorary-degree-recipients.php |website=uvic.ca|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|40em}}

{{S-start}} {{S-gov}} {{S-bef|before=Christopher Graham}} {{S-ttl|title=UK Information Commissioner|years=2016–2021}} {{S-aft|after=John Edwards}} {{S-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Denham, Elizabeth}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Canadian archivists Category:English archivists Category:UBC School of Library, Archival and Information Studies alumni Category:Living people Category:Canadian Commanders of the Order of the British Empire