The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) has announced a significant leadership appointment, as Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas named Nicole Ozer to the CPPA Board, emphasising California’s ongoing commitment to strengthening consumer privacy protections. The Nicole Ozer appointment comes at a time when privacy regulation, digital rights, and responsible data governance are taking on increased importance across both state and federal institutions.
Ozer brings decades of experience working at the intersection of privacy rights, technology, and democratic governance. She currently serves as the inaugural Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy at UC Law San Francisco, where her work focuses on safeguarding civil liberties in the digital age.
Nicole Ozer Appointment Strengthens CalPrivacy Board
Jennifer Urban, Chair of the California Privacy Protection Agency Board, welcomed the Nicole Ozer appointment, citing Ozer’s extensive background in privacy law, surveillance policy, artificial intelligence, and digital speech.
“Nicole has a long history of service to Californians and deep legal and policy expertise,” Urban said. “Her knowledge will be a valuable asset to the agency as we continue advancing privacy protections across the state.”
Urban also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing board member Dr. Brandie Nonnecke, noting her role in supporting CalPrivacy’s rulemaking, enforcement efforts, and public outreach initiatives over the past year.
The CPPA Board plays a central role in guiding how California’s privacy laws are implemented and enforced, making leadership appointments especially critical as regulatory expectations evolve.
Nicole Ozer’s Background in Privacy and Civil Liberties
Before joining UC Law San Francisco, Nicole Ozer served as the founding Director of the Technology and Civil Liberties Program at the ACLU of Northern California. Her career also includes roles as a Technology and Human Rights Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, a Visiting Researcher at the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, and a Fellow at Stanford’s Digital Civil Society Lab.
Her work has been widely recognized, including a California Senate Members Resolution honoring her dedication to defending civil liberties in the digital world and her contributions to protecting the rights of people across California.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the CPPA Board,” Ozer said. “This is a critical moment to ensure that California’s robust privacy rights are meaningful in practice. I look forward to supporting the agency’s important work.”
Role of the California Privacy Protection Agency
The California Privacy Protection Agency is governed by a five-member board, with appointments made by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, the Assembly Speaker, and the Attorney General. The agency is responsible for administering and enforcing key privacy laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act, the Delete Act, and the Opt Me Out Act.
Beyond enforcement, CalPrivacy focuses on educating consumers and businesses about their rights and obligations. Through its website, Privacy.ca.gov, Californians can access guidance on protecting personal data, submitting delete requests, and using the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP).
Leadership Shifts Across Security and Privacy Institutions
Ozer’s appointment to the California Privacy Protection Agency Board comes in the same week as another notable leadership development at the federal level. The National Security Agency (NSA) announced the appointment of Timothy Kosiba as its 21st Deputy Director, highlighting parallel leadership changes shaping the future of privacy, cybersecurity, and national security.
As NSA Deputy Director, Kosiba becomes the agency’s senior civilian leader, responsible for strategy execution, policy development, and operational oversight. His appointment was designated by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and formally approved by President Donald J. Trump.
While the missions of the National Security Agency and the California Privacy Protection Agency differ, both appointments underline a growing emphasis on experienced leadership in institutions responsible for protecting sensitive data, infrastructure, and public trust.
Together, these developments reflect how governance around privacy, cybersecurity, and digital rights continues to evolve, with leadership playing a central role in shaping how protections are implemented in practice.
