Netflix has appointed Mahima Kaul as its new Director of Public Policy. Prior to joining Netflix, Kaul served as the Director of Public Policy for APAC at Bumble from March 2022 to April 2024.
Kaul shared her appointment announcement via a LinkedIn post.
At Bumble, she established the company’s public policy functions and priorities across the APAC region. She also spearheaded Bumble’s approach in Australia on dating app safety regulations like Voluntary Codes for Dating Apps, helped develop policy positions on AI-enabled harm, ‘safety by design’, and streamlined compliance across jurisdictions, represented Bumble in media.
Kaul piloted “Brunch with Bumble” conversation series across India, Australia, APAC with researchers, civil society, government and supported research projects addressing online gender-based violence in India by supporting an academic framework to address online gender based violence.
Before that, she was associated with Twitter for nearly six years. She joined the company as Head, Public Policy and Government Partnerships, India in June 2015. In this role, she oversaw the company’s relationships with policymakers, elected officials, government agencies, and NGOs in India and directed policy programs in these areas. She managed the #TwitterForGood program, engaging with civil society to use Twitter for civic engagement, including during disasters.
She was then promoted to Director In August 2018 and served that role until April 2021.
Prior to this, Kaul was the Head, Cyber and Media Initiative for Observer Research Foundation (ORF) from April 2013 to June 2015. In this role, she had various responsibilities including spearheading cyber and new media initiatives.
Before this, she was India Correspondent for Index on Censorship from September 2012 to December 2014. In this role, she reported on censorship and internet governance issues in India.
Previously, Kaul was associated with The Open Communication Foundation as Founder Director for over two years from April 2011 to January 2014. Before this, she was Producer/Correspondent for TV News International from March 2008 to May 2012. In this role, she produced political programming for international TV channels.
Prior to this, she was the Consultant and Project Manager for Digital Empowerment Foundation from September 2010 to October 2011. She managed a joint venture project between DEF, Mint, and NIXI (National Internet Exchange of India). She was the Partnership Director for Video Volunteers from August 2009 to October 2010.
In the past, she was the Online Video Editor for The Indian Express. In her previous stint with the organisation, she worked as Senior Sub Editor from November 2006 to December 2007.
