Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Sept.20: Rajiv Aggarwal, an ex-IAS officer and former Uber executive, has been appointed as the Director of Public Policy by Facebook India on Monday. Aggarwal will define and oversee policy development activities for Facebook India. According to sources, the policy measures will address user safety, data protection and privacy, inclusiveness, and internet governance.
He succeeds Ankhi Das, who resigned in October of last year after becoming embroiled in a scandal over his opposition to the implementation of laws against hate-speech. He will report to Ajit Mohan, Vice President and Managing Director of Facebook India, in addition to being a member of the India leadership team, according to a statement.
“Facebook is a strong supporter of India’s dynamic economic and social development, which is centred on technology. We recognise that we are deeply ingrained in India’s fabric and that we have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a more inclusive and secure internet that benefits everyone in the country. I’m ecstatic that Rajiv will be leading the Public Policy team. Rajiv’s knowledge and experience will contribute to our aim of creating transparent, accountable, empowered, and safe communities, all of which we accept as our responsibility,” Mohan added.
Rajiv Aggarwal has 26 years of experience as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official, with assignments ranging from the local to the national level, including serving as a district magistrate in nine districts across Uttar Pradesh.
As joint secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (M/o Commerce), he steered India’s first ever national policy on intellectual property rights (IPRs) and was instrumental in the digital transformation of India’s IP offices during his tenure as an administrative officer. In addition to being India’s principal negotiator on IPRs with other countries, he has been extensively connected with the India-US bilateral trade forum.
Aggarwal’s appointment follows a series of senior and leadership hires at Facebook in recent months in marketing, partnerships, communications, and other crucial areas.
