Weitzner is an expert in
online privacy who has had significant impact in the field. He served as the Deputy
Chief Technology Officer of the United States from 2011 to 2012, where he focused on Internet policy and privacy. During his tenure as a White House technology official, he oversaw a consumer privacy initiative and was primarily responsible for the creation of the
Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and the OECD Internet Policymaking Principles Weitzner and several colleagues wrote the Information Accountability paper, which proposed an alternative approach to information policy where individuals and institutions determine for themselves the way information about them is used lawfully and appropriately by others. Weitzner co-directs the Decentralized Information Group
Tim Berners-Lee and is heading a new, cross-MIT research initiative:
MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative funded by the
Hewlett Foundation. He facilitated discussions and workshops on technology issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and encryption. Weitzner's background in the area of privacy and policy includes his work as a founder of the
Center for Democracy and Technology and a stint as the Deputy Policy Director of the
Electronic Frontier Foundation. He is also Founding member, Director and Trustee of the
Web Science Trust. == Education ==