Biography
Mr Yeong Zee Kin is presently the Assistant Chief Executive (Data Innovation and Protection Group) of the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA). His scope of work includes developing forward-thinking governance on AI and data, Mr Yeong spearheaded the development of Singapore’s Model AI Governance Framework, which won the UNITU WSIS Prize in 2019.
Mr Yeong concurrently holds the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and oversees the administration and enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act (2012). His key responsibilities include managing the formulation and implementation of policies relating to the protection of personal data, as well as the issuing of enforcement directions for organisational actions. Mr Yeong also oversaw the development of Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act, as well as the proposed amendments to the Act in 2020.
Mr Yeong is an internationally recognized expert on AI ethics. He is currently a member of the OECD Network of Experts on AI (ONE AI). In 2019, he was a member of the AI Group of Experts at the OECD (AIGO), which developed the OECD Principles on AI. These principles have been endorsed by the G20 in 2019.
Mr Yeong is also a well-regarded expert on data privacy issues. He has contributed to publications on legal issues relating to data privacy and has spoken at many well-recognised international and domestic platforms on this topic. He is a member of OECD’s informal advisory group for the revision of the Supplementary Memorandum of the OECD Privacy Guidelines. He is also currently participating as an expert in the Global Partnership on AI(GPAI)’s Data Governance Working Group, which addresses data protection issues at the intersection of AI development and deployment.
In addition, Mr Yeong has spoken and published in areas relating to electronic evidence and intellectual property, as well as legal issues relating to Blockchain and AI deployment. Formerly a partner in Rajah & Tann LLP's iTec (intellectual property, technology, entertainment and communications) practice group, his experience as a Technology, Media and Telecommunications lawyer spans both the public and private sectors.
Mr Yeong was awarded The Public Service Medal (COVID-19) in 2022 and The Public Service Medal in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to SAL. In 2014, he was awarded The Public Administration Medal (Silver) in recognition of his contributions to the Supreme Court.