.jpg)
Bloomberg LP announced yesterday the appointment of Samuel J. Palmisano, the former Chairman and CEO of IBM, to serve as an independent adviser regarding the Company’s privacy and data standards.
Mr. Palmisano will immediately undertake a review of the Company’s current practices and policies for client data and end user information, including a review of access issues recently raised by the Company’s clients. In addition, Mr. Palmisano will make recommendations and advise on the implementation of any enhancements to these practices and policies, including the independent verification of the Company’s systems and procedures. Mr. Palmisano will report to Bloomberg’s Board of Directors.
To assist Mr. Palmisano and the Company in the review of data and privacy issues, the formulation of recommendations, and the implementation of any recommended enhancements, the Board has hired Hogan Lovells and the Promontory Financial Group. Additional expertise will be retained as necessary.
Daniel L. Doctoroff, Bloomberg CEO and President, said, “Nothing is more important than our clients’ trust. When a client brought these matters to our attention, we apologized for our mistake and took immediate action including the appointment of an internal Client Data Compliance Officer. We want, however, to go even further and get the benefit of independent leading experts so that we set the new standard for privacy and data security. This review will be completed expeditiously, thoughtfully and thoroughly.”
In addition, Bloomberg announced that Clark Hoyt, Editor-at-Large at Bloomberg News until today and formerly the public editor of the New York Times, will conduct a review of Bloomberg News’ relationship with the Company’s commercial operations, including privacy and data policies. He will make recommendations stemming from that review. All necessary resources will be made available to Mr. Hoyt, who will report to Mr. Doctoroff.
“We are committed to getting the best possible advice from experts with impeccable reputations in their respective fields,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg. “Sam Palmisano is an expert at understanding issues related to technology and data use, having led the transition at IBM from computers to helping customers use technology to solve business challenges. Clark Hoyt is a great journalist and an impartial critic. His experience as the Times’ public editor and his understanding of Bloomberg will serve us well. We are going to engage with our clients and other constituents in this process to ensure we’ve incorporated their advice.”
