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Consumer Reports Names Justin Brookman as Director, Consumer Privacy and Technology Policy, for Consumers Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer Reports, the world’s largest independent, nonprofit consumer organization, has named Justin Brookman to serve as Director, Consumer Privacy and Technology Policy, for Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports.

Prior to joining Consumer Reports, Brookman was Policy Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Technology Research and Investigation.

In this new privacy role at CR, he will help the organization continue its groundbreaking work to shape the digital marketplace in a way that empowers consumers and puts their data privacy and security needs first.

This work includes using CR research to identify critical gaps in consumer privacy, data security, and technology law and policy, as well as building strategies to expand the use and influence of the new Digital Standard  being developed by CR and partner organizations to evaluate the privacy and security of products and services.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Justin to Consumer Reports.  His insight and leadership will be critical to our work to help consumers navigate the marketplace, safeguard their personal information, and make their voices heard,” said Jessica Rich, Vice President of Consumer Policy and Mobilization for Consumer Reports.

Brookman said, “I’m excited to be joining this renowned organization and be a part of the team to help advance its mission to strengthen and protect consumer rights.  As technology evolves, we need to ensure that privacy and security are not ignored, and that consumers retain traditional ownership and control over the smart devices they rely upon. We want consumers to have meaningful choices for products and services that make their users a priority, and we need stronger laws, policies, and oversight to ensure there is accountability in the marketplace.”

At the FTC, Brookman conducted and published original research on consumer protection issues raised by emerging technologies such as cross-device tracking, smartphone security, and the Internet of Things. He also helped initiate and investigate enforcement actions against deceptive or unfair practices, including actions against online data brokers and digital tracking companies.

He previously served as Director of Consumer Privacy at the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), a digital rights nonprofit, where he coordinated CDT’s advocacy for stronger protections for personal information in the United States and Europe.

Brookman also served as an Assistant Attorney General and, later, Chief of the Internet Bureau in the New York Attorney General’s office, where he brought consumer protection actions on a wide range of issues, including privacy, free speech, data security, and net neutrality.  He began his career as a litigation associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.  He received his J.D. from the New York University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Virginia.

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Contact: David Butler, dbutler@consumer.org, or Kara Kelber, kara.kelber@consumer.org

Consumers Union is the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports. Consumers Union works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually.