In Episode 273 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Kohei Kurihara, CEO and Founder of Privacy by Design Lab, about the relationship between privacy, trust, and innovation across Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Kohei shares how his background in startups, blockchain, and digital identity led him to focus on privacy as a foundational element of sustainable technology.

The discussion explores the distinction between security and privacy, including why technical safeguards alone cannot establish trust. Debbie and Kohei examine privacy by design as a proactive discipline, contrasting it with reactive compliance-driven approaches. They discuss why companies that embed privacy early can move faster, innovate responsibly, and build stronger relationships with users rather than slowing progress.

The episode also examines cultural perspectives on privacy in Japan and Asia, including how collective values, family structures, and trust-based relationships influence attitudes toward data sharing. Kohei emphasizes that privacy expectations are shaped by history and culture, and that global frameworks must account for these differences. The conversation reinforces that trust, not compliance alone, is what ultimately determines whether technology is accepted and sustained.

In Episode 272 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Sean Pauzauskie, Medical Director at the Neurorights Foundation, about the emergence of neurorights and why brain data represents one of the most sensitive frontiers in privacy and human rights. Sean explains what neurorights are, how they developed from advances in neurotechnology, and why mental privacy, identity, and free will must be protected as technology becomes capable of reading and influencing brain activity.

Debbie and Sean explore the five core neurorights, including mental privacy, fair access to mental augmentation, personal identity, free will, and freedom from algorithmic bias. They discuss real-world neurotechnology use cases, from medical treatment to consumer wellness devices, and why commercialization increases the urgency of governance. The episode examines risks such as discrimination, surveillance, and misuse of neural data, even in the absence of malicious intent.

The conversation also highlights Colorado’s groundbreaking neural data protections and how state-level action can address human rights gaps left by federal consumer-focused laws. Debbie and Sean discuss why states can serve as laboratories for rights-based protections, how neurorights differ from traditional data privacy, and what policymakers, companies, and individuals should be thinking about as neurotechnology becomes mainstream.

In Episode 271 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Ridwan Oloyede, Emerging Technologies and Technology Policy Lead, about the rapid evolution of data protection across Africa and why global conversations often misunderstand or oversimplify the continent. Ridwan shares insights into how privacy and technology policy have matured across African jurisdictions and why Africa should not be treated as a monolith in global regulatory discussions.

The conversation explores the growth of data protection laws, regulators, and professional communities across the continent, including how capacity building, certification, and cross-border collaboration are shaping the next generation of privacy leadership. Debbie and Ridwan discuss common misconceptions, the importance of local context, and how African countries diverge meaningfully on issues such as post-mortem privacy, registration requirements, audits, and cross-border data transfers.

They also examine how legal traditions that predate the GDPR influence modern African privacy frameworks, including differing approaches to legal bases for processing and consent. Ridwan emphasizes the need for better global research, storytelling, and representation to accurately reflect what is happening on the ground. The episode highlights Africa’s growing role in shaping global privacy norms through innovation, pragmatism, and preventative approaches to data protection.

In Episode 270 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Filipe Pinto, researcher, strategist, and author of Consumer-Controlled Digital Twin Architecture, about the future of personal data control and what it means to move beyond consent-based privacy models. The conversation centers on Filipe’s concept of consumer-controlled digital twins and why true privacy requires technical and architectural change rather than reliance on legal agreements alone.

In Episode 269 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Kimberly Lancaster, Founder and CEO of Avalon Privacy and Compliance. They discuss the evolving relationship among privacy, security, and compliance and why companies must treat these functions as interconnected elements of trust rather than isolated disciplines. Kimberly explains how organizations of all sizes can build stronger programs by emphasizing transparency, shared responsibility, and thoughtful data stewardship throughout the enterprise.

The conversation explores the real world challenges companies face when scaling governance, including vendor diligence, access controls, continuous monitoring, and the risks created when teams assume that technology alone can solve problems. Kimberly describes why proactive privacy practices, including data inventories and lifecycle thinking, make companies more resilient, reduce downstream crises, and strengthen their ability to respond to new regulations without disruption.

Debbie and Kimberly also examine the human side of privacy work, highlighting how culture, empowerment, and community learning shape successful programs. Kimberly shares her wish for a future where transparency becomes the foundation for trust and where companies design experiences that offer convenience without requiring people to sacrifice their data unknowingly. She emphasizes that privacy leadership is ultimately about enabling people to grow, make better decisions, and help organizations operate with integrity.

In Episode 268 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Anuj Jain, Lead Privacy Engineer at S&P Global. They discuss the role of privacy engineering in shifting data stewardship earlier in the technology lifecycle and how privacy-focused design strengthens both compliance and innovation. Anuj explains why many organizations still view privacy narrowly through a legal or security lens and why technical privacy practices are essential for building sustainable, enterprise wide maturity.

The conversation explores how privacy engineering transforms real operational workflows, including the review of cookies and tracking technology, automation of assessments, governance of AI systems, and managing risk through proactive testing and technical controls. Anuj provides insight into how S&P Global structures its privacy program across legal, technology, and business teams, creating a model of cross functional collaboration that allows privacy to scale.

Debbie and Anuj also discuss the cultural dimensions of privacy and how expectations differ across regions such as India, Europe, and the United States. They examine the impact of consumer awareness, regulatory timelines, and local norms on how individuals and companies interpret privacy. Anuj closes with practical insights about the power individuals have to influence corporate behavior through their choices and questions, and why thoughtful human decision making remains essential even in an AI driven world.

In Episode 267 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Federico Marengo, Associate Partner at White Label Consultancy in Italy. They explore the accelerating intersection of privacy, artificial intelligence, and governance, and discuss how organizations can build practical, responsible AI programs that align with existing privacy and security frameworks. Federico explains why AI governance cannot exist in a vacuum and must be integrated with the policies, controls, and operational practices companies already use.

The conversation delves into the challenges organizations face in adopting AI responsibly, including understanding the requirements of the EU AI Act, right-sizing compliance expectations for organizations of different scales, and developing programs that allow innovation while managing risk. Federico highlights the importance of educating leadership about where AI regulations actually apply, since many businesses overestimate their obligations, and he explains why clarity around high-risk systems is essential for reducing unnecessary fear and confusion.

Debbie and Federico also discuss future trends for global AI and privacy governance, including whether companies will eventually adopt unified enterprise frameworks rather than fragmented jurisdiction-specific practices. They explore how organizations can upskill their teams, embed governance into product development, and normalize AI as part of standard technology operations. Federico shares his vision for a world where professionals collaborate to advance best practices and help organizations embrace AI with confidence rather than hesitation.

In Episode 266 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to Matthew Kay, Group Data Protection Officer at Shawbrook. Their discussion centers on pragmatic data protection, responsible governance, and the realities of advising organizations that are rapidly scaling or adopting emerging technologies. Matthew explains why trust building, timing, and understanding business context are essential for privacy professionals seeking to drive meaningful change.

Debbie and Matthew explore the challenges created by fast moving artificial intelligence adoption, including transparency gaps, organizational pressures to automate, and the difficulty of maintaining meaningful oversight as data processing grows more complex. Matthew describes how privacy professionals can enable innovation by identifying mitigations early, embedding privacy by design, and guiding business leaders toward safe, sustainable data use. They also discuss why effective data protection requires risk balancing rather than rigid absolutism, and how credibility and constructive engagement support long term compliance.

Their conversation concludes with a focus on the future of data management and the importance of ongoing stewardship. Matthew reflects on the parallels between data governance in everyday life and large corporate environments, emphasizing continuous organization, monitoring, and clarity of purpose. Debbie and Matthew highlight why global communities benefit from sharing best practices across jurisdictions and how pragmatic, human-centered governance helps strengthen trust and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In Episode 265 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to James Robson, Data Protection Officer for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Together, they explore how public sector organizations and political entities navigate modern data protection challenges while balancing public trust, transparency, and societal benefit. Their conversation highlights why research data, safe data environments, and responsible access structures are increasingly essential for tackling complex social problems.

Debbie and James discuss the importance of privacy preserving data sharing for research and the practical realities of enabling societal value without compromising individual rights. James describes his work supporting research ecosystems, including the creation of secure data archives, the role of the Office for National Statistics, and how the United Kingdom’s “five safes” framework helps protect high risk datasets in controlled environments. They also examine the ethical considerations around using sensitive data to improve outcomes for vulnerable groups, and how organizations can design safe, centralized systems without sacrificing privacy.

In the final segment, Debbie and James reflect on the future of data minimization, trust, and governance. They consider how architectures that strictly limit data use could reshape long term privacy protections and discuss the human element required to steward data responsibly. Their conversation underscores the need for collaboration across government, research institutions, and technology teams to build trustworthy systems that support both privacy and public benefit.

In Episode 264 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Brintha Shanmugalingam, Data Governance Expert at Capgemini, about how organizations can reduce privacy risk and unlock innovation by managing data with more context, precision, and intelligence. They explore why traditional governance often restricts value by imposing blanket prohibitions, and how granular, attribute-level stewardship enables safe data usage without unnecessary barriers. Brintha explains how ontological modeling and knowledge graphs help maintain meaning, purpose, and control throughout the data life cycle, even as information moves across borders and functions.

Debbie and Brintha examine the growing importance of aligning privacy, compliance, security, business value, and technical feasibility to establish governance systems that empower rather than block decision makers. They discuss how identifying the specific sensitivity of each data element can prevent misuse while accelerating lawful sharing and innovation in areas such as AI and cross-regional analytics. The conversation also highlights the misconceptions organizations have about risk and why binary thinking about data exposure leads to lost opportunities.

Listeners will learn practical insights for improving data confidence and accountability, including understanding the contextual use of data, designing protections that evolve with business needs, and ensuring safeguards are embedded where work actually happens. This episode encourages leaders to rethink governance as a strategic capability that creates agility, trust, and measurable outcomes when executed with a smarter structure and a deeper understanding.

In Episode 263 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Karen Smiley, Founder and Owner of She Writes AI LLC, about the complex ethical questions emerging as artificial intelligence systems leverage vast amounts of creative and personal data without clear permission or accountability. They examine how rapid innovation is challenging legacy rules around copyright, content reuse, and compensation, especially for creators whose work fuels AI models without acknowledgment or benefit. Karen explains why opacity in data sourcing and AI training has created a critical trust gap that reflects deeper societal risks.

The conversation explores the hidden environmental and labor impacts that many users never see, including the enormous resources required to run large-scale systems and the human labor behind data annotation and content moderation. Debbie and Karen discuss how misinformation, inaccurate outputs, and a lack of transparency threaten both consumer well-being and global cyber resilience, revealing a growing disconnect between hype and ethical responsibility across industries rushing to adopt AI.

Listeners will hear how real awareness and education can empower individuals to ask harder questions, influence product choices, and demand systems that reflect fairness, safety, and truth. This episode highlights why companies must evolve from simply extracting value to earning user trust through ethical design, accountability, and consistent respect for the people who generate data and creativity that make AI possible.

In Episode 262 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Nicola Fabiano, Lawyer, Data Protection, Data Governance and Cybersecurity Advisor, and Author, about how defining artificial intelligence clearly is essential to regulating it effectively. They explain why the world must move beyond broad general terms and begin focusing on artificial intelligence systems to ensure that legal frameworks match the real operational and privacy impacts already influencing everyday life. Nicola shares his view that society is not entering the age of AI, but is finally recognizing its long standing presence and the complexity behind its rapid expansion.

They explore the delicate balance between innovation and fundamental rights as advanced AI becomes deeply integrated into global business, government, infrastructure, and daily decision making. The conversation addresses gaps in traditional oversight, the need for practical governance tools, and how neural network development challenges prior assumptions about data, consent, control, and risk. Nicola outlines why privacy law cannot operate in isolation, but must link with technical standards and ethical expectations to truly protect individuals and prevent unintended harm.

Listeners will gain insight into Nicola’s multi layer approach, which combines legal, scientific, operational, and ethical perspectives to keep AI growth aligned with human values. This episode underscores why collaboration across disciplines is critical for setting boundaries that encourage responsible progress, reduce uncertainty, and build trust in intelligent systems with global influence

In Episode 261 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Jesse Kirkpatrick, Co Director at the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, about the rapidly expanding adoption of generative artificial intelligence and the significant risks that accompany this high velocity of change. They examine the widespread excitement around AI and why its usefulness is intertwined with sensitive data that may be collected without boundaries or transparency, leaving the public in the dark. The discussion digs into why people cannot easily understand how their data is being used, whether informed consent is truly possible, and what happens when powerful systems learn from information that individuals never intended to share.

Debbie and Jesse also evaluate how governments, major technology companies, and commercial applications rely on massive data acquisition to fuel model performance, raising questions about privacy protection, public safety, and whether surveillance harms can be reversed. They discuss the real dangers behind model hallucination, accuracy failures, security breaches, and malicious exploitation, especially when artificial intelligence is used for high stakes decisions without accountability.

Listeners will learn why Jesse believes responsible innovation must precede scaled deployment and how transparency, enforceable obligations, and redress mechanisms can help society avoid severe consequences as these systems evolve. This episode highlights the urgent need for clear guardrails while encouraging deeper public understanding of how generative AI reshapes social trust, personal rights, and the boundaries of data use.

Episode 260 – Jon Bello: The Evolution of Privacy in the Philippines and Across Asia

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Jon Bello, Partner at MBS Law Offices and IAPP 2025 Vanguard of the Year, about how the Philippines has emerged as a regional leader in privacy and data protection. They discuss how the country transitioned from business process outsourcing compliance to a culture of national awareness, and how its unique cultural and legal frameworks continue to influence privacy in Asia. Jon explains that the Philippines was one of the first Asian nations to pass a comprehensive data privacy law after the EU Data Directive but before the GDPR. He and Debbie examine how the Filipino language lacks a direct translation for the word “privacy,” reflecting a family-centric culture that values openness and community. They explore how this cultural context has shaped attitudes toward data sharing and protection. Jon also highlights how the National Privacy Commission has creatively raised public awareness through social media, educational jingles, and outreach campaigns aimed at children.

The discussion explores how the BPO industry contributed to the passage of the 2012 Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws and how many organizations now operate under three concurrent frameworks: U.S. privacy laws, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, the Philippine Data Privacy Act, and the GDPR. Jon explains the importance of the Philippine requirement for a “privacy manual,” which goes beyond a privacy policy to define accountability and governance, as well as the legal requirement to register Data Protection Officers. Debbie and Jon also examine the region’s growing focus on AI governance, including Japan’s soft-law model and the Philippines’ proposed registration system for high-risk AI. The episode highlights the cultural diversity and context-specific nature of Asia’s privacy frameworks, underscoring their critical role in the global dialogue on privacy and technology.

Episode 259 – Andreea Lisievici Nevin: Building Global Privacy Leadership and Culture

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Andreea Lisievici Nevin, Privacy, Digital, and AI Lawyer at PrivacyCraft, about how privacy leadership must extend beyond compliance to become an integral part of organizational culture and accountability. They discuss how privacy has evolved from a niche legal concern into a global business imperative that demands collaboration across legal, technical, and operational teams. Andreea explains that while many professionals understand the rules, the real challenge lies in translating those rules into effective, repeatable business processes. She and Debbie explore the difference between describing what compliance requires and operationalizing those requirements inside complex organizations.

The discussion examines how privacy professionals serve as bridge builders between legal, business, and technical domains, using communication and practical governance to ensure accountability. Andreea describes the cultural differences between privacy leadership in the European Union and the United States, noting that U.S. privacy officers often take a more proactive and decision-making role, while EU data protection officers function as independent advisors rather than implementers. Debbie and Andreea also emphasize the importance of tone from the top, explaining that privacy culture cannot thrive without active leadership support and visible alignment with company values. They explore why accountability must be embedded through clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines, rather than being treated as a checkbox exercise. The conversation also covers the role of certification in the profession and why credentials alone do not ensure true capability. Andreea explains that continuous learning, mentorship, and collaboration are essential for sustaining privacy excellence. The episode highlights how communication, trust, and shared ownership define mature privacy programs and how strong leadership helps organizations transform compliance into enduring value.

Episode 258 – Terry Bollinger: Understanding the Limits of Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Terry Bollinger, retired technology analyst at MITRE, about the limits of artificial intelligence and the growing risks of relying on systems that only mimic human understanding. They discuss how large language models operate as mimicry machines, imitating intelligence rather than achieving it, and how this design choice leads to fundamental weaknesses in trust, accuracy, and accountability. Terry explains that AI models based on probability and pattern replication erase uniqueness, creating false confidence in their results. He warns that by averaging data rather than analyzing meaning, these systems blur important distinctions, making it difficult to detect errors, anomalies, or malicious activity. Debbie and Terry explore why true privacy and security depend on identifying outliers —the small deviations that reveal hidden threats, rather than relying on average trends.

Terry describes how traditional security systems are built on clearly defined boundaries, data paths, and verification processes, while modern AI systems often remove those controls. He emphasizes that when data is distributed, reweighted, and stored probabilistically, it becomes nearly impossible to verify what has been learned, lost, or leaked. The conversation examines the risks of utilizing LLMs in sensitive environments, where transmitting confidential data to remote commercial systems can compromise containment and integrity. Terry discusses how interpolation, or the act of filling in the blanks when data is missing, leads AI to generate convincing but incorrect answers, what he calls “random noise masquerading as insight.” Debbie and Terry also examine why intelligence, wisdom, and comprehension cannot be replicated through scale or speed. The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of human judgment, accountability, and boundary control in an era where automation is expanding faster than understanding.

The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast – Episode 257 with Gina King, Cyber vCISO and Communications Consultant, King and Company Capital, with Debbie Reynolds ‘"The Data Diva”

Struggling to bridge the gap between business and technology teams? In this episode, Gina King shares how building trust and understanding unlocks stronger security outcomes. She also explains why companies rushing into AI without cleaning up their data first are putting their organizations at serious risk.

Gina and I discuss how she bridges communication between technical teams and business leadership, and why understanding motivations and emotions drives better collaboration. We explore how overlooked “folklore processes” create hidden risks, how insider threats and employee churn accelerate knowledge loss during the AI rush, and why privacy and cybersecurity must work symbiotically. Gina explains why data problems almost always precede privacy problems, the dangers of AI drift and misapplied answers, and the legal risks created by unclear contracts, consent gaps, and ambiguous rights to use AI.

We also examine the growing problem of fake AI companies, data-siphoning tools, and the risk they pose to small businesses, and why business leaders must align their data story before adopting AI.

This podcast reaches listeners in 140+ countries and 3,000+ cities and features leaders shaping global privacy, AI, and emerging technology strategy. If you are a business leader, CISO, or privacy professional, this episode will help you prevent AI chaos by fixing your data story and building trust between teams.

Subscribe to The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast for more conversations with global leaders shaping the future of privacy, data, and emerging technology.

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Episode 256 – Jennifer Wondracek, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Legal Research and Writing, Capital University Law School, ABA Women of Legal Tech Honoree

What happens when courts rely on fake cases created by AI? Jennifer Wondracek examines the risks associated with AI in legal research and education.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Jennifer Wondracek, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Legal Research and Writing at Capital University Law School, and ABA Women of Legal Tech Honoree, about the risks of AI in legal research and the responsibility of lawyers and educators to ensure its proper use. Wondracek highlights how courts have already faced real-world consequences when AI systems generated fabricated cases, exposing serious risks to professional practice.

She shares her perspective as a leader in law librarianship and legal technology, describing the epidemic of misattributed citations in legal filings and the dangers of allowing AI to revise legal writing without proper oversight. Wondracek explains why lawyers must verify sources rather than rely blindly on AI outputs, and why technology competency is now a critical requirement in the profession. She traces the shift from print to digital research and considers how AI represents the next stage of transformation. The discussion also addresses how legal education must adapt to prepare students for AI-driven research and practice, ensuring the next generation is ready to use these tools responsibly.

This episode offers valuable insights not only to lawyers and educators but also to anyone curious about how AI is reshaping trust, accountability, and knowledge in fields that impact society as a whole.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

Episode 255 – Don Morron, Founder and CEO of Highland Tech, AI Agents for Enterprise

What does it take to build resilience in a world of constant cyber threats? Don Morron shares strategies for adapting without losing control.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” interviews Don Morron, Founder and CEO of Highland Tech, AI Agents for Enterprise, about how executives can build resilience into their organizations in the face of a constantly evolving cyber threat landscape. Morron shares lessons from his leadership journey in cybersecurity and explains why resilience cannot be bolted on after the fact but must be embedded into enterprise systems from the very beginning.

The conversation covers how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, both by enabling attackers with new tools and by empowering defenders with advanced capabilities. Morron provides practical insights into managing enterprise security operations in rapidly changing conditions without compromising organizational control. He stresses the importance of communication and collaboration across teams, highlighting how siloed approaches undermine resilience. The episode also explains why proactive governance and long-term planning are far more effective than reactive firefighting.

These insights are useful not only for executives and security leaders but also for anyone interested in how organizations adapt to technology-driven risks and build strength in uncertain times.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

Episode 254 – Bryan Lee, Founder and General Partner, Privatus Consulting

Why do privacy programs fail even when companies want to succeed? Bryan Lee explains why communication is the missing piece.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” welcomes Bryan Lee, Founder and General Partner at Privatus Consulting, to discuss why effective privacy programs succeed through strong communication rather than technical jargon. Lee explains how privacy engineering serves as a critical link between policy, compliance, and technical teams, and why clear communication is often the deciding factor in whether organizations achieve their privacy goals.

He explains why many companies fail at privacy, despite genuine intent, often because coordination among stakeholders breaks down. Lee reflects on his own career path, transitioning from intelligence work to privacy consulting, and shares insights into how organizations can overcome communication barriers to develop programs that are both compliant and effective. The conversation also covers the risks of misjudging AI, particularly the mistake of treating systems as if they were human, and how this misunderstanding creates governance and operational problems.

This episode offers strategies for bridging gaps, enhancing collaboration, and addressing complex issues, resonating with privacy leaders, compliance professionals, and anyone seeking to understand how effective communication drives successful outcomes in organizations.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.