The Data Diva E183 - Debesh Choudhury, Ph.D. and Debbie Reynolds

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Sharon Bauer, Founder of Bamboo Data Consulting in Canada. We discuss the complexities of the privacy landscape in Canada, including the outdated federal privacy legislation PIPEDA and the challenges posed by new technology. We emphasize the importance of staying informed and proactively addressing potential legislative developments while acknowledging the nuances and complexities of advising clients in the evolving legal landscape. We also discuss the evolving landscape of privacy in the digital age, highlighting the disconnect between privacy professionals' perspectives and consumer behavior. Sharon emphasizes the critical role of trust in driving consumer action, loyalty, and data collection for companies, stressing the need for companies to prioritize building trust with consumers. We explore the challenges companies face in comprehending and adhering to privacy regulations, including the lack of education and transparency, particularly among medium-sized businesses. We also discuss the multifaceted issues surrounding privacy and data protection, including the implications of data misuse, the need for informed consent, and the long-term consequences of data disclosure. We express frustration with the limitations of automated privacy assessment tools and emphasized the need for tools to consider businesses' diverse operational and ethical contexts. Sharon shares her frustration with the operationalization of privacy and stressed the importance of humanizing the process. We also discuss the importance of using real-life examples to educate companies about privacy missteps and Sharon’s hope for Data Privacy in the future.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Debesh Choudhury, PhD, Information Security Researcher (India). We discuss the application of image recognition for security, with both expressing concerns about the accuracy and sensitivity of the technique, particularly in matching images and creating databases of individuals. We also highlight the potential vulnerabilities in image security, emphasizing the need for complex hashes and the development of quantum-proof techniques. Additionally, the conversation touches on the limitations of voice recognition as a biometric factor for authentication, focusing on the ease of spoofing and the necessity of multiple factors in security measures. Debbie expresses deep concern about the rapid advancement and potential dangers of deepfake technology, citing a news story about a significant financial loss resulting from a deepfake video call. Debesh emphasizes the need for research to detect deepfakes and discusses the multifaceted impact of deepfake technology, including its potential positive applications in entertainment and the movie industry, as well as its negative implications in political scenarios and personal lives. The discussion also touches on the pressure for companies to adopt AI and the potential risks associated with overreliance on artificial intelligence, drawing parallels to historical industry shifts such as the adoption of Linux by Microsoft. Debesh raises concerns about the widespread adoption of biometrics and its potential threats to privacy, citing examples of government orders and the impact of the pandemic. We discuss the negative impact of such technologies on individuals and advocated for their rights. We discuss the need for logical thinking and education in the context of introducing AI and robotics courses in high schools, emphasizing the importance of nurturing critical thinking skills in students and his wish for the future of Data Privacy.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Derek Wood, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Duality Technologies. We discuss the challenges of data privacy and the balance between using data for business purposes while respecting individuals' rights. We stress the importance of managing data in a way that doesn't hinder business operations but also upholds privacy standards. We explore the evolving landscape of privacy and security, emphasizing the regulatory push for privacy-enhancing technology and the convergence of privacy, security, and governance within organizations. The conversation also focused on developing a workflow that addresses these challenges, providing a solution that allows effective protection of both the model and input data, presenting a significant opportunity for growth in the current landscape. We discuss the potential risks associated with Generative AI and voice spoofing. We emphasize the need for increased awareness and potential solutions to address the risks posed by generative AI and voice spoofing.Additionally, we explore the complexities of tracking data from its origin to various copies and usages, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining documented data lineage. The conversation underscored the need for organizations to adopt privacy-enhancing technologies to ensure data transparency and security. We discuss the shifting landscape of data sharing, its implications for third-party relationships, and the challenges third-party companies face in meeting increasingly stringent data security requirements, which can potentially hinder their ability to collaborate with first-party data companies. The discussion emphasizes the need for innovative solutions to alleviate risk for both parties and facilitate smoother data-sharing processes. Additionally, we underscore the role of technology solutions in enabling efficient and secure data management to meet the demands of the evolving business environment, and his hope for Data Privacy in the future.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Dan Caprio, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Providence Group,  Vice Chair, Internet of Things Advisory Board, U.S. Department of Commerce. We discuss and navigate the intricacies of privacy in the digital age, particularly focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The discussion emphasizes the urgent need for a national strategy for IoT, comprehensive federal privacy laws in the United States, and the significance of the cyber trust mark initiative led by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to signify the security and privacy standards of IoT devices, enhancing consumer trust. A pivotal point of the conversation was the importance of implementing a universal opt-out mechanism for IoT devices, offering users more control over their personal data. The episode also explored the dual-edged sword of AI in privacy, highlighting the Biden administration's executive order on AI as a step towards recognizing privacy's critical role in AI governance. Dan Caprio urged privacy professionals to adopt a strategic and proactive stance towards AI governance, emphasizing the dynamic career opportunities in the field and the necessity for ongoing education and adaptation in the face of evolving privacy challenges. This episode offered a rich overview of the current privacy landscape, stressing strategic foresight and proactive governance of emerging technologies as key to navigating the complexities of the digital age while safeguarding consumer privacy and Dan’s hope 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.With constantly evolving regulatory frameworks and AI systems set to introduce monumental complications, data governance has become an even more difficult challenge. That’s why you need MineOS. The platform helps you control and manage your enterprise data by providing a continuous Single Source of Data Truth. Get yours today with a free personalized demo of MineOS, the industry’s top no-code privacy & data ops solution.To find out more about MineOS visit their website at https://www.mineos.ai/Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Jesse Tayler,  Team Builder, Startup Cofounder App Store Inventor, and Founder of TruAnon. We discuss Data Privacy, Digital Identity, and Jesse Tayler's background as a team builder, startup co-founder, app store inventor, and founder of TruAnon.  We discuss  the shift from physical to digital products, highlighting the friction-free nature of the digital world and its implications for the economy. Jesse shares stories about creating the app store software model and meeting with Steve Jobs. The conversation then shifts towards the intricacies of digital identity and data security, drawing attention to the challenges posed by the transition to a purely digital environment and its impact on privacy and security. Jesse Tayler emphasizes the need for a service that banks and social networks want to use to ensure online safety. He discusses the importance of individuals owning and controlling their identity while also providing value to the services they use. Debbie Reynolds expresses concerns about the sustainability of the current verification processes and advocated for a system where individuals have more control over sharing their data rather than having to provide their identity information to multiple accounts.Jesse Tayler passionately advocates for a purely digital solution to address the challenges of digital identity and privacy violations. He emphasizes the need for a future where digital identity is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, ensuring safety and trust for individuals and governance. Tayler expresses concerns about the lack of trust in the digital realm and the challenges of transmogrifying between the physical and digital worlds. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for a digital solution prioritizing trust, ownership, and transparency in identity verification, and Jesse shares his hope for Data Privacy in the future.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message. 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. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds “The Data Diva” talks to Jay Averitt, Senior Privacy Product Manager/Privacy Engineer at Microsoft. We discuss Jay’s career trajectory into privacy engineering highlighting his early fascination with technology and law, leading to a career as a software engineer and later as a software engineer and licensed attorney. We emphasized the importance of integrating privacy considerations at the foundational level of design rather than as a reactive measure and highlighted the need for organizations to provide clear and concise privacy information to empower consumers. We also stressed the significance of building trust with users through transparent privacy practices and a user-centric approach to privacy. He emphasized the need to consider privacy fundamentals such as data minimization and transparency, particularly when storing customer data and addressing biases in AI models. He also expressed concerns about privacy and data collection in apps, emphasizing the need for better privacy considerations and consumer education. Debbie Reynolds and Jay Averitt concluded the meeting with mutual appreciation, emphasizing the evolving nature of privacy engineering, the value of diverse skills in this area, and the need to learn from past mistakes and prioritize transparency, especially in the context of LLMs handling potentially confidential information and his hope 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.With constantly evolving regulatory frameworks and AI systems set to introduce monumental complications, data governance has become an even more difficult challenge. That’s why you need MineOS. The platform helps you control and manage your enterprise data by providing a continuous Single Source of Data Truth. Get yours today with a free personalized demo of MineOS, the industry’s top no-code privacy & data ops solution.To find out more about MineOS visit their website at https://www.mineos.ai/Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message. Debbie Reynolds, "The Data Diva" talks to Gopal Padinjaruveetil, Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer, AAA The Auto Club Group. Gopal discussed his thought leadership and career journey, his educational background in chemistry and law, his transition from operational technology to IT, and his eventual entry into cybersecurity. Debbie then transitioned the discussion to AI's influence on cybersecurity, seeking Gopal's insights. Gopal began to address AI's impact on cybersecurity, highlighting its significance in the evolving technological landscape. Gopal and Debbie engaged in a discussion about their perspectives on AI and its potential impact. Gopal expressed concerns about the potential for AI to enable harm and emphasized the need to consciously shape its impact, drawing parallels between the use of AI and the use of weapons. He highlighted the importance of managing AI to prevent negative consequences and stressed the need to address cyber safety, freedoms, and rights. Debbie contributed to the discussion by sharing an analogy that Gopal compares AI education to sex education, emphasizing the need to teach safe usage and shape behaviors for the benefit of society. Their conversation reflects a nuanced understanding of AI's complexities and the importance of addressing its potential impact. Gopal led a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving nature of privacy, particularly in the digital realm. He explored the paradox of willingly sharing data while expecting privacy, emphasizing the need to protect privacy in private spaces while acknowledging the lack of privacy in public spaces. Drawing on legal concepts, Gopal advocated for a balanced approach that protects privacy in private spaces while recognizing the role of governments in ensuring safety. The discussion prompted reflection on the trade-offs between privacy and security, ultimately highlighting the complexities of privacy in the modern age. Gopal and Debbie engaged in a heartfelt discussion about the significance of optimism and the challenges of upholding it in the face of adversity. They drew inspiration from historical figures like Martin Luther King and Gandhi, emphasizing the importance of pushing forward for positive changes and his hope for Data Privacy in the future. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” talks to Melih Calikoglu, a Data Privacy Expert and Lawyer (Turkey). We discuss a range of topics related to Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence, including challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses in complying with Data Privacy laws, the differences between Turkish and EU privacy laws, fines and penalties for non-compliance, and the need for alignment with the GDPR. He also delved into the complexities of AI and data ownership, highlighting the challenges of compensating human producers and determining who owns the intellectual property rights. We also discuss the profound impact of AI on society, including the democratization and marketization of AI, the ethical problems that arise from using AI to solve problems for consultees, and the changing nature of communication and socialization. We emphasize the need for careful consideration of the societal implications of AI as it becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives. We also highlight the importance of continued discussion and innovation to find effective solutions to the challenges posed by AI and Data Privacy and his wish for Data Privacy in the future.Support the Show.