California Appoints New Privacy Chief Amid Upcoming Reforms

California's Privacy Protection Agency has appointed Tom Kemp as its new executive director, succeeding Ashkan Soltani, with plans to enhance oversight of privacy laws amid ongoing scrutiny from Big Tech. Kemp, who has a background in cybersecurity and has previously advised on privacy legislation, will begin his role on April 1, just before the agency's board meeting to discuss new rules for automated decision-making. In New York, Attorney General Letitia James has filed lawsuits against insurers National General and Allstate over data breaches affecting 165,000 residents, despite the state's broader push for digital ID initiatives. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a directive urging AI providers to uphold privacy commitments, highlighting the regulatory landscape that AI companies must now navigate. As AI's adoption grows, there is increasing pressure for transparency regarding data collection and usage. These developments illustrate a rising focus on privacy regulation amid technological advancement across both California and New York.