The Top 5 Most Listened-to Episodes of the Data Protection Made Easy Podcast in 2024
2024 has been a monumental year for the Data Protection Made Easy Podcast. With 11,790 streams on Spotify, a growing community of over 1,381 subscribers, and consistent live attendance of 100+ listeners per session, the podcast continues to cement its status as the UK’s leading platform for data protection professionals.
This year has been full of exciting developments, including the honour of earning our IAPP accreditation, which has significantly boosted our visibility within the industry. Our episodes now regularly attract hundreds of listeners each week on Spotify alone, and the live discussions have become a must-attend event for privacy professionals.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our most popular episodes of the year. These episodes offer a snapshot of the topics that mattered most to data protection professionals, and they reveal some surprising trends. For the first time, Subject Access Requests (SARs) — historically our most popular topic — did not make the top 5. Instead, new and emerging themes have captured the attention of our listeners. Let’s explore the top 5 episodes and why we think they struck a chord with our audience.
1. DPIA Deep Dive – A Practical Guide on Data Protection Impact Assessments (24th July 2024)
Why it was popular: The topic of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) remains a critical pain point for many organisations. With regulatory scrutiny increasing, understanding how to conduct a robust DPIA has become a priority for data protection officers (DPOs) and privacy teams. This episode stood out for its practical, step-by-step guidance on completing DPIAs effectively.
Our expert hosts shared actionable insights and tools that listeners could use immediately, making it one of the most replayed episodes of the year. It also provided clarity on common DPIA mistakes and how to avoid them, resonating strongly with both experienced and newly appointed DPOs.
2. AI and Its Potential Impact on Privacy (24th May 2024)
Why it was popular: It’s no surprise that this episode made it into the top 5. AI and privacy have dominated headlines and boardroom discussions throughout 2024. The general consensus across the data protection industry is one of caution. With tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and generative AI transforming how businesses operate, privacy professionals are grappling with how to manage the associated risks.
This episode explored the regulatory landscape for AI, guidance from the ICO, and the challenges of ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI-driven decision-making. The episode’s popularity reflects a growing demand for practical advice on how to prepare for and respond to AI-related privacy risks.
3. Understanding the Role of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) (19th August 2024)
Why it was popular: With an increasing number of organisations appointing Data Protection Officers (DPOs), many privacy professionals are eager to understand the role, its responsibilities, and the skills required to succeed. This episode demystified the role of a DPO, providing clear definitions and outlining the competencies required for the job.
It also offered insights for those looking to become a DPO, which proved valuable for career development. By combining practical guidance with career advice, this episode engaged privacy professionals at all stages of their journey and sparked plenty of follow-up questions during the live Q&A.
4. Navigating the Complexities of International Data Transfers (13th September 2024)
Why it was popular: Cross-border data transfers continue to be a thorny issue for data protection teams, particularly in light of Schrems II and the ongoing discussions around Data Privacy Frameworks. This episode took a deep dive into how businesses can legally transfer personal data outside of the UK and EU, while remaining compliant with GDPR.
As regulatory guidance evolved in 2024, organisations were seeking clarity on what’s required to ensure lawful transfers. The episode’s focus on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and derogations gave listeners a solid foundation for managing their cross-border data flows.
5. RoPA Roundup – A Practical Workshop for DPOs (5th July 2024)
Why it was popular: Records of Processing Activities (RoPA) remain one of the most critical (and often misunderstood) obligations under GDPR. This episode offered a hands-on workshop where listeners could follow along and learn how to create, maintain, and review their RoPAs.
The workshop-style format proved highly engaging, offering templates, step-by-step instructions, and real-world examples. For organisations seeking to streamline their approach to RoPAs, this episode became an indispensable resource, with many listeners returning to it multiple times for reference.
What’s Next for 2025?
This year’s lineup of episodes reflected the changing priorities in data protection. While SARs remained an important service for Data Protection People, the demand for content on AI, DPIAs, and DPO roles shows that privacy professionals are seeking clarity on emerging risks and new responsibilities.
But we’re not stopping here. In 2025, we’re taking the Data Protection Made Easy Podcast to the next level with:
- New guest speakers from leading organisations.
- Live in-person events starting with our first event in Leeds, Yorkshire.
- Fresh episode formats that bring you closer to the conversations that matter.
If you’d like to be part of our first-ever live event or have ideas for guest speakers and topics, we want to hear from you! Our goal is to make the Data Protection Made Easy community even more engaging and insightful.
Thank You for Listening
To our listeners, subscribers, guest speakers, and hosts, thank you for being part of this incredible year. We’re proud of the impact we’ve made together and are excited to continue growing the community in 2025.
The Data Protection Made Easy Podcast has become a trusted resource for privacy professionals worldwide, and with our IAPP accreditation under our belt, we’re ready to keep raising the bar. Here’s to more insights, lively discussions, and impactful episodes in 2025.
If you’re interested in attending our first live event or have suggestions for topics and speakers, please get in touch — we’d love to hear from you!