Former Meta lobbyist Niamh Sweeney appointed DPC commissioner — concerns over independence
Niamh Sweeney, who previously led European public policy for WhatsApp and served as head of Irish public policy at Facebook, has been appointed as a commissioner at Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). The appointment has drawn criticism from privacy campaigners who warn of potential conflicts of interest given her previous work for Meta.
Key facts
- Appointment: Sweeney joins Des Hogan and Dale Sutherland as an active commissioner at the DPC.
- Background: Six years at Meta, including roles at WhatsApp and Facebook.
- Official comment: Ireland’s Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said three commissioners will now lead and manage the DPC as its responsibilities grow.
Criticism and context
Privacy advocates and campaigners have raised concerns about the DPC’s track record and Ireland’s regulatory stance toward big tech. The DPC has been criticized for being slow to enforce EU data protection rules and for collecting only a small fraction of fines levied against tech companies.
Examples often cited include large fines against Meta for data-handling lapses; reporting has referenced fines in the hundreds of millions (e.g., ~€XX/ $300M and another fine reported around $100M), though readers should consult primary sources for exact figures and currency conversions.
Sources
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