That’s one reason Portland, Ore., is bringing data governance and privacy together in a new office, led by an inaugural
data and privacy officer, city officials said. The role is advertised and will close Oct. 5.
The Portland City Council officially approved the creation of the office during the fiscal year 2026-27 budget process through
Ordinance 192143and
Resolution 37736. And at the beginning of September, the City Council took a further step — approving the classification and salary range for the new city data and privacy officer.
The timing isn’t coincidental. Portland and cities across the country are using more technology that can collect and connect information, including AI systems, automated license plate readers, and smart-city sensors. And as those tools become more common, cities have to think carefully about what information they collect, how they use it and what happens to it afterward.
That’s where Portland’s new office comes in. According to the city, the Data and Privacy Office will have a voting seat on the city’s AI Steering Committee and oversee privacy impact assessments for certain “high-risk technologies.” It will also work with technology teams to bring pri...