Facebook taps DC office head to manage global policy

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Facebook announced that Joel Kaplan, who is based out of the firm's growing Washington (DC) office, will become the social network's Vice President of Global Policy, a position created to manage growing interest from foreign and domestic lawmakers over privacy, copyright and security issues. Kaplan, currently the vice president of US Public Policy, succeeds Marne Levine, who will be moving over to Instagram to be its first chief operating officer.

Kaplan, a former senior aide in the George W. Bush White House, was tapped to lead the company's Washington office in 2011. At the time, Kaplan's hire was seen as a way to shore up Facebook support from Republicans, though Facebook has gone on to tap Hill talent from both sides of the aisle as it works to increase its policy profile. The office currently has around 50 employees. Kaplan will remain based in Washington; his replacement has not yet been announced. In his new role, Kaplan will be in charge of working with governments and non-profits across the world to explain Facebook policies and products. Levine has held the position since it was first created in 2010.


Facebook taps DC office head to manage global policy