Introducing Bianca-Ioana Marcu, the Head of FPF Europe

Introducing Bianca-Ioana Marcu, the Head of FPF Europe

In a significant move for the future of digital privacy and data protection, Bianca-Ioana Marcu has been appointed as the Managing Director of FPF Europe. With extensive experience in the field, Marcu is poised to lead FPF Europe at a pivotal moment for digital regulation in Europe.

Marcu's work at the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), particularly on the Global Privacy team, has provided her with a global perspective on privacy and data protection practices. This experience will be instrumental in shaping FPF's response to the dynamic challenges of digital privacy and data governance.

One of Marcu's key priorities is to advance the privacy dialogue, both in Europe and beyond. She sees the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as the foundation and cornerstone of privacy regulation, and is committed to ensuring that privacy remains central to the dialogue in Europe. Marcu also aims to influence global standards, including ongoing efforts in Africa.

Marcu is expected to focus on aligning GDPR with other EU regulations such as the Data Act, and on supporting policy consistency across borders. This involves engagement with stakeholders to address both emerging and persistent privacy challenges.

Another priority for Marcu is to strengthen FPF’s leadership in emerging challenges. This includes addressing new technologies and their privacy implications, such as artificial intelligence, and supporting regulatory efforts that simplify compliance and promote best practices. Marcu will also support FPF’s work in advocating for balanced policies that foster innovation while ensuring robust privacy protections. This aligns with recent continental initiatives, such as the AfCFTA’s digital trade protocol and the African Union’s data policy framework.

Marcu is positioned to foster dialogue between public and private sectors, as well as across different regulatory environments in Europe and Africa. Her leadership aims to bridge gaps and promote a harmonized approach to data governance, especially where regulatory approaches diverge. She will also continue to support efforts that clarify privacy obligations for businesses and enhance consumer awareness, particularly as new privacy laws and amendments emerge across jurisdictions.

FPF Africa's focus is on thought leadership and regionally grounded research in data protection. Notably, FPF Africa successfully launched the Africa Council and was an official partner of the NADPA Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.

Marcu finds inspiration in the openness and commitment of senior leaders in ensuring strong data protection practices globally. She plans to strengthen connections within FPF by fostering idea-sharing, solution-exchanging, and learning among senior leaders.

FPF remains dedicated to delivering high-quality legal research and policy analysis to its members. With Marcu at the helm, FPF Europe will continue to contribute actively to the privacy dialogue in Europe, while also extending its work beyond Europe, with a focus on advancing data protection in Africa through collaboration, innovation, and regional expertise.

The current momentum for European legislators to streamline the EU’s digital rulebook offers promising opportunities for gathering all stakeholders to clarify legal uncertainties and points of tension. Marcu's leadership will be crucial in navigating these complexities and ensuring that privacy remains a priority in the evolving digital landscape.

1. Bianca-Ioana Marcu's extensive experience in the Global Privacy team of FPF has provided her with a global perspective on privacy and data protection practices, which will be crucial in shaping FPF's response to the dynamic challenges of digital privacy and data governance.
2. As the Managing Director of FPF Europe, Marcu is committed to advancing the privacy dialogue, both in Europe and beyond, particularly focusing on ensuring that privacy remains central to the dialogue in Europe and influencing global standards, including ongoing efforts in Africa.
3. One of Marcu's key priorities is to align GDPR with other EU regulations such as the Data Act, and to support policy consistency across borders, engaging with stakeholders to address both emerging and persistent privacy challenges.
4. Marcu will also focus on strengthening FPF’s leadership in emerging challenges, such as addressing new technologies and their privacy implications, like artificial intelligence, and advocating for balanced policies that foster innovation while ensuring robust privacy protections.
5. In addition, Marcu's leadership aims to bridge gaps and promote a harmonized approach to data governance, especially where regulatory approaches diverge, particularly between Europe and Africa.
6. FPF remains dedicated to delivering high-quality legal research and policy analysis, with Marcu at the helm of FPF Europe, the organization will continue to contribute actively to the privacy dialogue in Europe while also extending its work beyond Europe, with a focus on advancing data protection in Africa through collaboration, innovation, and regional expertise.

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