Jon Leibowitz
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| Country: | USA |
Jon Leibowitz is the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). He was appointed by President Barack Obama on March 2, 2009. As Chairman, he is responsible in leading the agency in protecting consumers against fraud. For the internet and technology industry, he supports the promotion of competition and innovation through law enforcement, policy initiatives. He is also focused in protecting the consumers privacy on the internet.[1]
Career Background
Mr. Leibowitz began his professional career as an attorney in Washington from 1984 to 1986. Following his private practice, he worked for Senator Paul Simon from 1986-87 and Chief Counsel for Senator Herb Kohl from 1989-2000. He also served as served as the Democratic Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, Senate Sub-Committee on Terrorism and Technology and Senate Sub-Committee on Juvenile Justice. He joined the Motion Picture Association of America as Vice-President for Congressional Affairs for four years before joining the FTC as Commissioner on September 3, 2004. He is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia.[1]
Education
Mr. Leibowitz received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History from the University of Wisconsin and his Degree in Law from New York University School of Law.[1]
Comments on ICANN
On December 7, 2011, Mr. Leibowitz expressed his concern over the ICANN's new gTLD program during a hearing conducted by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet. Although the House inquiry is about "Oversight of the Antitrust Enforcement Agencies," Cong. Bob Goodlatte, chair of the committee asked Leibowitz opinion regarding the possibility of introducing thousands of [TLD]]s. In response, Leibowitz said that FTC is "very, very concerned that this roll-out of new gTLDs has the potential to be a disaster for consumers and for businesses." He points the inaccuracy of information in the Whois database as the main reason of the concern because it makes law enforcement difficult to track criminals on the internet. He also added that adding more TLDs would make the situation "exponentially worse." Furthermore, he cited that the program provides less benefit to businesses and consumers and the Commission sees enormous costs. On the other hand, when Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren asked Leibowitz regarding ICANN's performance on internet governance and consumer protection, the FTC chair said, "I don't mean to disparage ICANN itself. I think they do a lot of very good things." [2]