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Our Independence in Action We embrace a project-driven approach to driving meaningful change. By collaborating, we can safeguard the freedom to innovate with data, ensuring it isn’t hindered by well-meaning but misguided policies or by industry missteps that erode public trust and confidence in businesses and technologies. Our Projects The Information Accountability Foundation Fearlessly Forward Thinking Fearlessly Forward Thinking The Information Accountability Foundation A Framework to take us Forward To be trusted, organizations must be responsible, answerable, and prepared to demonstrate their accountability. It's critical that accountable organizations are able to think with data and pursue knowledge discovery and creation in order to engage in a trusted global digital ecosystem. Frameworks based on risk assessment and data governance enable beneficial, data-driven innovation while protecting individuals and society from the potential harms that may arise from data processing in the digital age. Our Initiatives The preeminent think tank enabling data to serve people and society. independent | innovative | non-profit | forward-looking | research and education | risk and governance frameworks Our Team The Way We Think As the new wave of AI integrates the digital, physical, and biological spheres together, we will see a tremendous impact in data-driven research. Public policy, proposed laws and regulatory approaches articulate more explicit and demonstrable accountability processes for artificial intelligence (AI). There is no common standard as to what these new processes should consist of. This void includes how DPA’s and other assessment requirements should be structured. This lack of common expectations regarding standards of practice creates uncertainty for businesses wishing to grow their use of data. For research to benefit patient and societal interests, trust-enhancing frameworks should be developed for a purely digital research environment. Publications Articles IAF News October brought leadership and organizational changes to the IAF. Read update Fiercely Independent. We are an independent, non-profit think tank dedicated to promoting data accountability by design and advancing responsible AI governance. Join Us Get Involved We host and attend many events and workshops all throughout the year. View the calendar to see when you can get involved and RSVP IAF Event Calendar The Power of Membership At IAF you will find a comprehensive body of resources, knowledge and experts to help you navigate the complex landscape of today’s data-driven world. We offer individual, corporate and group memberships, and all members have access to an extensive array of benefits. Join Us

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IAF Comments to UK ICO AI Consultation February 2024 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Dun & Bradstreet Dun & Bradstreet

IAF Comments to Brazilian LGPD International Transfer Requirements November 2022 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Bermuda Privacy Commissioner Accountability Report March 2020 Home / Publications / Download PDF

IAF Comments to the California Privacy Protection Agency Stakeholder Sessions May 2022 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Vice President, Chief Privacy & Data Ethics Officer at Cognizant Stephanie Higgins Vice President, Chief Privacy & Data Ethics Officer at Cognizant Stephanie is a seasoned global privacy professional with over twenty years of experience managing complex privacy laws and regulations for multinational businesses. Her focus is on privacy strategy including developing programs, policies, and processes necessary to ensure compliance and responsible use of data. She joined Cognizant in January 2019 as Chief Privacy and Data Ethics Officer and leads a global team focused on devising and implementing a global approach to personal information handling. Prior to her current role, she spent 18 years with Deloitte, most recently leading their Global Privacy Office and advising on data protection requirements impacting their global organization. Previously as a regulatory consultant, she specialized in data protection and technology assurance and advisory services supporting multinationals in a range of sectors. Stephanie Higgins Vice President, Chief Privacy & Data Ethics Officer at Cognizant Stephanie is a seasoned global privacy professional with over twenty years of experience managing complex privacy laws and regulations for multinational businesses. Her focus is on privacy strategy including developing programs, policies, and processes necessary to ensure compliance and responsible use of data. She joined Cognizant in January 2019 as Chief Privacy and Data Ethics Officer and leads a global team focused on devising and implementing a global approach to personal information handling. Prior to her current role, she spent 18 years with Deloitte, most recently leading their Global Privacy Office and advising on data protection requirements impacting their global organization. Previously as a regulatory consultant, she specialized in data protection and technology assurance and advisory services supporting multinationals in a range of sectors.

Origins of Accountability: Big Data and Analytics: Seeking Foundations for Effective Privacy Guidance February 2013 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Origins of Accountability: Accountability Phase III – Madrid Project November 2011 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Cognizant Cognizant

HP Inc. HP Inc.

IAF Comments on Quebec Bill 64- IAF Public- French September 2020 Home / Publications / Download PDF

IAF Comments to the EU Proposed AI Regulation July 2021 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Chief Privacy Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. (USA) Chris Foreman Chief Privacy Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. (USA) Chris is the Chief Privacy Officer at Merck. Heading the Global Privacy Office, an integral part of the Ethics & Compliance Organization, he leads a global team of privacy professionals that oversees the governance and functioning of the Global Privacy Program. Through its standards, specifications, external certifications and guidance, the Global Privacy Office supports a network of 250+ Privacy Stewards embedded within the various operating divisions and global support functions of the Company, and ensures accountability by the business for its activities. Chris spent his first 20 years with the Company in the Office of the General Counsel, thereafter joining the Global Privacy Office in September 2018. He has been Chief Privacy Officer since August 2023. He advocates the Company’s interests externally in several fora, including EFPIA’s Data Governance Working Group, IAF and dplegal. Chris has spoken widely at privacy and legal conferences, webinars and roundtables on topics including the complexities of international data transfers between the Europe and the United States and the European Health Data Space. Before joining the Company, Chris worked as a corporate attorney at two private law firms. He earned his B.A (Government), J.D. and LL.M. from the University of Texas, University of Georgia, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, respectively. Chris Foreman Chief Privacy Officer, Merck & Co., Inc. (USA) Chris is the Chief Privacy Officer at Merck. Heading the Global Privacy Office, an integral part of the Ethics & Compliance Organization, he leads a global team of privacy professionals that oversees the governance and functioning of the Global Privacy Program. Through its standards, specifications, external certifications and guidance, the Global Privacy Office supports a network of 250+ Privacy Stewards embedded within the various operating divisions and global support functions of the Company, and ensures accountability by the business for its activities. Chris spent his first 20 years with the Company in the Office of the General Counsel, thereafter joining the Global Privacy Office in September 2018. He has been Chief Privacy Officer since August 2023. He advocates the Company’s interests externally in several fora, including EFPIA’s Data Governance Working Group, IAF and dplegal. Chris has spoken widely at privacy and legal conferences, webinars and roundtables on topics including the complexities of international data transfers between the Europe and the United States and the European Health Data Space. Before joining the Company, Chris worked as a corporate attorney at two private law firms. He earned his B.A (Government), J.D. and LL.M. from the University of Texas, University of Georgia, and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, respectively.

Assessments to an AI World: Legitimate Interest Assessment November 2024 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Big Data Ethics Initiative: Assessment Framework (Part B) July 2015 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Colorado Data Protection Assessments July 2023 Home / Publications / Download PDF

Director, Global Cybersecurity and Privacy Law at Apple Jeff Ratner Director, Global Cybersecurity and Privacy Law at Apple Jeff Ratner Director, Global Cybersecurity and Privacy Law at Apple

Socially Beneficial Project for Canada Ministry of Innovation January 2019 Home / Publications / Download PDF