State Attorney General George Jepsen has created a new department within his office that will focus solely on investigations and legal action related to privacy and data security.
The Privacy and Data Security Department will continue and expand upon the work previously done by a Privacy Task Force that Jepsen formed in 2011. The new department will have staff dedicated to working only on privacy-related matters, according to Jepsen’s office.
It will oversee all investigations involving consumer privacy and data security, and educate the public and business owners about their responsibilities, such as protecting personally identifiable and sensitive data.
In the four years since Jepsen became attorney general, his office “has taken a lead role in investigating massive consumer data breaches involving Anthem, Target, Home Depot, and others, as well as significant issues impacting consumer privacy,” he said in a statement.
“Sadly, there is no reason to predict that the demands of privacy and data security concerns will subside in the foreseeable future,” he said. “Formation of a dedicated Privacy and Data Security Department within my office will maintain Connecticut’s standing as a national leader on this important topic and ensure that this work will continue with equal importance and emphasis to that done by other departments within the office.”
Matthew Fitzsimmons, assistant attorney general and chair of the Privacy Task Force since its inception, is leading the department. The new department will have its own attorneys and also work with other staff within Jepsen’s office, according to the attorney general.
Jepsen said he may seek to expand the department in the future.
