From discussing the latest regulatory updates to exploring the risks of online dating, this month of Data Protection Made Easy covered a range of topics to tune into. 

Keep reading to find out what our hosts, Joe Kirk, Phil Brining, Caine Glancy and Catarina Santos, had to say. 

Data Protection Made Easy: February’s Run Down 

Episode 205: GDPR Radio

We started February with our fortnightly GDPR Radio session, which dives into recent regulatory updates, trends and high-profile data breaches. 

In this live session, we opened the floor to our community of listeners to discuss the following: 

• Recent enforcement actions by the ICO, European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and other regulators
• Personal Data Breaches over the last month, including the fines and failures involved
• Developments in technology and how compliance is evolving alongside it
• Practical GDPR advice for organisations struggling to implement best practice into daily operations

For more insight, listen to episode 204 in our resource centre or directly on Spotify.  

Episode 206: Cyber Love or Cyber Risk?

Ghosting, catfishing and fake accounts – despite the risks associated with online dating, the UK public can’t help but ‘find the one’. As of 2023, there were 11.1 million UK users on dating sites such as Tinder, Grindr, Match and eHarmony. 

While some users are struck by Cupid’s arrow, others report having a bad online dating experience, resulting in ghosting and, more seriously, romance fraud. For this Valentine’s special, our hosts uncovered how personal data is misused and exploited in the name of love. 

Personal Data breaches can happen at any time, whether you’re in the office or out on a date with a love interest. As dating is an incredibly personal experience, users tend to overshare, whether that be their address, full name or financial information, to split a bill. 

Once your data is out there, it’s hard to get it back. Protecting your personal data is a two-way game. You need to be sensible about what you share; otherwise, you put yourself at risk. Data breaches are not uncommon on dating sites, either; look at how these individuals were affected.  

In episode 205, we uncover how safe personal data is on dating apps and what you can do to protect yourself. Listen in on Spotify today. 

Episode 208: GDPR Radio 

In our second GDPR Radio session, we covered the latest industry news, focusing specifically on consent, the Data Usage & Access (DUA) Bill and the reputation of GDPR. 

As of now, the DUA Bill has passed the House of Lords and is in the House of Commons. The Labour government introduced the Bill late last year and, since then, has raised much commentary on the proposed changes to the UK GDPR. You can read more about the Bill’s key reforms in our previous guide. 

This episode uncovers the latest developments in the Bill as it progresses through the government. Catch up now for expert commentary on the DUA Bill and why the GDPR often gets a bad reputation.   

Episode 209: Designing a Child-friendly Digital Environment

In our last episode, we focused on the importance of data governance in online environments where children’s data is handled. 

New laws, like the UK’s Children Code, hold online services (such as apps, social media platforms or online gaming sites) accountable for 15 standards regarding the protection of children’s data online. Businesses must design their services and process data in accordance with this code or face ICO penalties.

Our hosts uncover how to implement ethical design principles that keep children’s best interests at heart while offering an engaging online experience. We also discuss in detail how regulators are tackling non-compliance and lessons learned from recent enforcement actions. 

If this code applies to you, we recommend listening to episode 207 so you will know what precautions to take. 

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Compliance is no easy feat, so we created the Data Protection Made Easy podcast to help you stay ahead. You can listen to our podcast on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music.