"The Data Diva" Talks Privacy Podcast

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Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Sean Vargas-Barlow, Senior Global Privacy, Product, and AI Counsel. We discuss our passion for Data Privacy and the challenges of maintaining consumer trust and Data Privacy in the age of personalization and data sharing. We also discuss the importance of learning agility, self-learning, and networking with others in the field through organizations and projects. We emphasize the need to constantly hone one's skills and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. The discussion also touched on the future of privacy careers, with Sean and Debbie noting that the field has grown significantly in recent years and that privacy professionals are increasingly being called upon to lead on issues such as AI governance. We emphasize the importance of understanding technology and working collaboratively across different departments within an organization and note that privacy professionals may need to act as translators between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Finally, Debbie and Sean discuss the challenges of cross-border data transfer flows and the need for a global framework to ensure responsible data handling. We mention the APAC framework and the need for a global framework. We also discuss the need for responsible AI regulation with fundamental principles and the concern that the train has left the station. Overall, we highlight the importance of privacy and data governance in today's world, the need for professionals to stay informed and adaptable in the face of changing regulations and technological innovations, and her wish for Data Privacy in the future.
Many thanks to “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy Podcast “Privacy Champion” MineOS, for sponsoring this episode and supporting the podcast.

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Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Carey Lening, Privacy Professional, Writer, Chronicles of the Constantly Curious (Dublin). We discuss her journey into privacy, highlighting the significance of the GDPR and the shift in attitude towards data protection. The conversation also delved into the limitations of applying a property rights model to personal data, with Carey highlighting the challenges and nuances involved in understanding and regulating the use of personal data. Additionally, the discussion touched on the broader implications of data ownership and the varying interpretations of privacy rights. We emphasize the need to recognize the complexities of data protection laws and the conflicting nature of individual rights in a global context. We advocate for a shift from absolutist beliefs towards a more grounded and pragmatic perspective, acknowledging the inherent difficulties and trade-offs in addressing privacy concerns. The discussion underscored the importance of moving beyond idealistic notions and embracing a more nuanced understanding of privacy rights in practice. We discuss the impact of privacy regulations, focusing on the aftermath of the ruling against Google Analytics in Europe. We emphasize the need for pragmatism in compliance decisions and expressed concerns about the broad application of regulations to all companies without considering nuanced differences. The conversation also delved into the complexities of cookie laws, data sharing without consent, and Carey’s Data Privacy hopes for the future.

Many thanks to "The Data Diva" Talks Privacy Podcast Sponsor and Privacy Visionary, Smartbox AI, for sponsoring this episode and supporting our podcast. Smartbox.ai, named British AI Company of the Year, provides cutting-edge AI, helps privacy and technology experts uniquely master their Data Request challenges, and makes it easier to comply with Global data protection requirements, FOIA requests, and various US state privacy regulations. Their technology is a game-changer for anyone needing to sift through complex data, find data, and redact sensitive information. With clients across North America and Europe and a major partnership with Xerox, Smartbox.ai is bringing their data expertise right to our doorstep, offering insights into navigating the complex world of global data laws For more information about Smartbox AI, visit their website at https://www.smartbox.ai. Enjoy the show.

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Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Lawrence Gentilello, CEO and Founder of Optery, a company dedicated to removing personal data from online databases to enhance privacy and security for individuals and businesses. We discuss his career journey, beginning with his early work in the data industry at BlueKai, a firm specializing in collecting intent and purchase data for targeted advertising. He discusses how the industry evolved from simple ad personalization into a vast ecosystem where personal data is used in ways that can pose risks to individuals. His decision to launch Optery in 2020 was influenced by both his professional experience and a personal incident in which criminals used publicly available information to create fraudulent IDs in his and his wife’s names.
Debbie and Lawrence examine the hidden world of data brokers—companies that gather, package, and sell personal information without individuals’ direct knowledge or consent. Lawrence describes how these brokers operate across different sectors, from advertising and email prospecting to risk analytics and law enforcement databases. He highlights the difficulty individuals face in protecting their information, as the average person has around 100 exposed online profiles, making them vulnerable to identity theft, cyberattacks, and even physical security threats.
The discussion also covers emerging threats, including the rise of AI-native data brokers—companies that use artificial intelligence to automate the collection and sale of personal data at an even greater scale. Lawrence describes how these firms often operate without transparency and avoid legal disclosure, making it harder for individuals to track how their information is being used. He also references a recent incident involving the Russian ransomware gang Black Basta, where leaked internal communications revealed that cybercriminals were using data broker services like ZoomInfo and RocketReach to research and target victims.
Debbie and Lawrence explore the real-world consequences of unchecked data sharing, including phishing scams, cyberattacks, and even physical harm. They discuss how executives, government officials, and everyday individuals become targets due to the ease of accessing their personal data online. Lawrence explains how Optery’s services help address these risks through deep-crawling search technology, before-and-after screenshot verification, and automated monthly scans that continuously remove exposed information.
Lawrence outlines his vision for improving privacy protections. He advocates for a standardized set of privacy laws across the U.S., stronger enforcement against data brokers that fail to comply with regulations, and the inclusion of authorized agent provisions in all privacy laws to ensure individuals can get assistance in managing their data. Debbie emphasizes the importance of ongoing awareness and proactive steps to combat the risks associated with data brokers. This insightful discussion sheds light on the urgent need for privacy-focused solutions and stronger policies to protect individuals and their data.

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Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to, Masheika Allgood Founder and CEO of AllAI Consulting, LLC and AI Ethicist. We discuss her talent of highlighting the impact of AI and algorithms on humans, the mythical idea of AI versus the reality of AI, assumptions, and inferences that can be problematic with AI, Bias in AI, the tension between technology and law, Data Privacy in the US, and her wish for data privacy in the future.

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Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Cari Miller, Sr. Principal, Practice Lead, Responsible AI Governance & Research at The Center for Inclusive Change. We discuss the lack of employee data rights in the US and Cari Miller's research into the Full Spectrum Employee Data Taxonomy, which includes PII, sensitive voluntary information, credentials, position history, and company/enterprise data. We discuss the implications of AI, such as the over-collection of data, systemic bias, and the need for guardrails. We also discuss New York State's requirement for companies to do audits of AI systems. We conclude that governance does not have to be difficult, but it is important to think through and figure out what makes the most sense. Cari is concerned about the lack of rules and regulations surrounding the use of AI in the employee life cycle, which can lead to discrimination, alienation, and a lack of well-being. She believes that the right guardrails need to be put in place to ensure that AI is used responsibly and that it is tested and built by diverse people. Debbie Reynolds agrees and brings up an example of how AI can be used to target people with disabilities. Cari Miller discussed the need for data minimization, usage assessments, and deletion rules in order to protect data privacy. She also highlighted the need for a US Federal Data Privacy law to avoid companies having to comply with different laws in different states. Finally, she discussed the need to protect children's data, as it is often used to make decisions about them, and her hope for Data Privacy in the future.

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