NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Yiannis Theodorou is the Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the GSMA. He is leading the development of policy and advocacy initiatives, aiming to shape the emerging regulatory landscape so as to enable new digital identity solutions, while helping mobile operators position themselves as trusted providers of such solutions. Since joining the GSMA in 2011 as a Manager and then Senior Manager of Regulatory Policy, Theodorou has been focusing on Privacy and Data Protection issues – conducting consumer research, developing policy positions and promoting ‘Privacy-by-Design’ best practices for mobile, mHealth, mAutomotive and ‘Connected Living’ services. He has also led the GSMA’s public policy work on Big Data and on the ‘Mandatory Registration of Pre-paid SIM Cards’, authoring a number of reports and policy recommendations. Theodorou delivered several regulatory training courses and represented the GSMA at various public fora globally, engaging with multiple stakeholders. Prior to the GSMA, Theodorou worked as a Strategy Associate at Ofcom, where he gained five years of experience in strategy and regulatory policy in the Internet, TV, fixed and mobile communications sectors. Theodorou holds a MSc. in Management from Cass Business School (City University, London) and a LL.B Degree in Law from UCL (London).