Being the European home of big tech firms like Facebook, Google and Apple, to name a few, puts Ireland—and particularly Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes—in a unique position at a time when information privacy is reaching a fever pitch. Silicon Republic reports that when Hawkes took office in 2005, he was mainly focused on the data protection and marketing practices of Irish organisations. Fast-forward to 2011, and his office was heading up an independent audit of all of Facebook’s activities outside the U.S. Now, new challenges arise every day, and Hawkes says, “If you are not listening, then we have powers to force you to comply with legal requirements.” Editor’s Note: Read Angelique Carson’s interview with Billy Hawkes here.
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