Pasadena Resident Selected by Governor for Inaugural State Privacy Protection Agency Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom has named a Pasadena man as one of five members of the state’s newly formed California Privacy Protection Agency, officials announced this week.

John Christopher Thompson, 49, will be one of five inaugural board members tasked with enforcing the recent privacy protections approved by voters in 2018 with Prop. 24, known as the California Privacy Rights Act, according to a written statement issued by the governor’s office. The proposition strengthened projections under the existing California Consumer Privacy Act also created the California Privacy Protection Agency, which is set to begin enforcement of the CPRA in 2023.

“Californians deserve to have their data protected and the individuals appointed today will bring their expertise in technology, privacy and consumer rights to advance that goal,” Newsom said. “These appointees represent a new day in online consumer protection and business accountability.”

The CPPA Board will have “full administrative power, authority and jurisdiction” to implement the California Privacy Rights Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act, the statement said. “The Agency may bring enforcement actions related to the CCPA or CPRA before an administrative law judge. The Attorney General will retain civil enforcement authority over the CCPA and the CPRA.”

Thompson, a Democrat, has served as senior vice president at LA 2028 since 2020, and held several positions at Southern California Edison between 2013 and 2020, according to the statement.

He also held positions with the U.S. Senate between 2003 and 2013, including chief of staff, legislative director and legislative assistant, officials said. Prior to that, he was a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 to 2001.

State Attorney General Xaver Becerra called the new policies “ a historic new chapter in data privacy.”

“The CPPA Board will help California residents understand and control their data privacy while holding online businesses accountable,” he said.

More information on the California Privacy Rights Act and the California Consumer Privacy Act can be found on the website of the California Office of the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa.