California Privacy Protection Agency Names Tom Kemp as Executive Director

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Board has named Tom Kemp as the Agency's Executive Director. Mr. Kemp is a seasoned policy advisor, cybersecurity expert, entrepreneur, and author. He brings extensive experience in privacy legislation, technology policy, and consumer protection to the position.

“I am honored to step into this role at such a critical time for privacy rights,” said Kemp. “The CPPA has been at the forefront of consumer privacy protection, and it is a privilege to work on the important issues that impact all Californians. I look forward to working with the Agency's board and staff to ensure strong enforcement of our privacy laws and continued leadership in this space.”

As Executive Director, Kemp will oversee the CPPA's mission to enforce and implement California's comprehensive privacy laws and ensure the public has a strong understanding of their rights. His deep understanding of privacy and cybersecurity, combined with his track record as an executive in the tech industry, make him uniquely suited to lead the Agency. He will be sworn in and begin the role on April 1, 2025.

Kemp has been a leading advocate for stronger privacy laws, playing a key advisory role in the passage of landmark legislation such as the California Privacy Rights Act (Proposition 24), the California Delete Act (SB 362), and the California AI Transparency Act (SB 942). He also advised on bills in other states, including Texas, Nebraska, Vermont, Washington, Illinois, and Maryland.

“Mr. Kemp brings valuable experience in privacy and technology policy to the Agency," said CPPA Board Chairperson Jennifer Urban. "The board looks forward to collaborating with him as we work to protect Californians' privacy rights."

In addition to having a strong background in policy, Kemp was also the Co–founder and Chief Executive Officer of Centrify (now Delinea), a leading cybersecurity cloud provider. He also authored Containing Big Tech: How to Protect our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and history from the University of Michigan.

About Us

The California Privacy Protection Agency is committed to promoting the education and awareness of consumers' privacy rights and businesses' responsibilities under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Individuals can visit privacy.ca.gov to access helpful and up–to–date information on how to exercise their rights and protect their personal information. In addition, the Agency's website provides important information about CPPA board meetings, announcements, and the rulemaking process.