---
layout: default
title: "Facebook Hires Sunil Abraham as Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Tech"
description: "A News Minute report announcing Sunil Abraham’s appointment as Facebook’s Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Tech, outlining his role, responsibilities, and background."
categories: [Media mentions]
date: 2020-10-12
authors: ["Haripriya Suresh"]
source: "The News Minute"
permalink: /media/facebook-hires-sunil-abraham-news-minute/
created: 2025-12-03
---

**Facebook Hires Sunil Abraham as Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Tech** is a News Minute article published on 12 October 2020, reporting on Abraham's appointment to a senior public policy role at Facebook. The piece outlines his responsibilities relating to data privacy, emerging technologies, AI-led innovation, and multi-stakeholder processes, while also tracing his background in technology policy, digital rights, and the open-source movement.

## Contents

1. [Article Details](#article-details)  
2. [Full Text](#full-text)  
3. [Context and Background](#context-and-background)  
4. [External Link](#external-link)

## Article Details

<dl class="media-details">
  <dt>📰 Published in:</dt>
  <dd><em>The News Minute</em></dd>

  <dt>📅 Date:</dt>
  <dd>12 October 2020</dd>

  <dt>👤 Author:</dt>
  <dd>Haripriya Suresh</dd>

  <dt>📄 Type:</dt>
  <dd>News Report</dd>

  <dt>📰 Newspaper Link:</dt>
  <dd>
    <a class="btn" href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/atom/facebook-hires-sunil-abraham-public-policy-director-data-and-emerging-tech-135151">
      Read Online
    </a>
  </dd>
</dl>

## Full Text

<figure class="media-image">
  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sunilabrahamindia/sunilabraham/main/media/images/sunil-abraham-news-minute-2020.jpg"
       alt="A man with short curly hair and glasses smiling warmly, seated indoors against a softly lit background with cream-coloured walls.">
  <figcaption>Photo of Sunil Abraham used in coverage of the News Minute report.</figcaption>
</figure>

<div class="highlighted-text" id="fulltext">

<p>Facebook announced on Friday that Sunil Abraham has been appointed as the Public Policy, Director for Data and Emerging Tech. He is the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Centre for Internet and Society.</p>

<p>Facebook said Sunil Abraham will "lead and shape the company's stance of tech policy issues" in the country, and will report to Public Policy Director Ankhi Das. "Sunil will be responsible for building partnerships and engagements with key stakeholders in the public policy area of data privacy, consumer protection, and AI led innovation for new products and services," Facebook said in a statement.</p>

<p>Facebook said that he will be contributing to policy development initiatives and proceedings in India and the South Asia region on data protection, privacy, new and emerging tech and represent the company's position in these multi-stakeholder processes.</p>

<p>"Sunil's experience in the field of technology policy and his vast research on data reforms are an ideal fit for Facebook. We are thrilled to have Sunil in our team as he brings deep industry and civil society knowledge and understanding. With his expertise and experience, he will help us in our mission to build transparency, accountability and empowered communities,” said Public Policy Director Ankhi Das.</p>

<p>Ankhi Das was recently in the eye of the storm surrounding Facebook in India over not implementing hate speech policies for some politicians reportedly at the behest of Ankhi Das over hurting the company’s business prospects.</p>

<p>Apart from the Centre for Internet and Society, Sunil Abraham has co-founded open technology service provider Mahiti Infotech.</p>

<p>Sunil Abraham has been an advocate of the free/open source software and was a part of the Wikimedia movement starting in 2004, when he co-managed the International Open Source Network for UNDP. He was also an endowed professor at ArtEZ University for the Arts in the Netherlands.</p>

<p>The Centre for Internet and Society, a policy and academic research organization focusing on accessibility, openness, access to knowledge, internet governance, digital humanities and telecom regulation.</p>

</div>

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{% include back-to-top.html %}

## Context and Background

This report came at a moment when global technology companies were under increased scrutiny for their public policy decisions, content moderation practices, and engagement with governments. Abraham's appointment signalled Facebook’s recognition of the importance of credible expertise in data protection, privacy, and emerging technologies. His long association with digital rights, open-source movements, and policy research positioned him as a bridge between civil society, industry, and regulatory processes. The article also references internal controversies within Facebook India, underscoring the complex environment in which such policy roles were situated.

## External Link

- [Read on The News Minute](https://www.thenewsminute.com/atom/facebook-hires-sunil-abraham-public-policy-director-data-and-emerging-tech-135151)  

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