This month, the Data Protection Made Easy podcast covered the latest updates in GDPR, ethical challenges in employee tracking, and AI’s evolving role in data privacy. From high-profile breaches to new regulations, our hosts, Joe, Phil and Jasmine, explore how these trends impact businesses and individuals.

Find out what was discussed in our October round-up below. 

Data Protection Made Easy: October’s Recap 

Episode 189: GDPR Radio (Part One)

We kick off October with our first GDPR radio session, which discussed the latest developments, trends, and regulatory updates in the EU and the UK. 

Our hosts covered recent high-profile data breaches over the last few weeks and offered some practical tips on staying compliant with GDPR. We also opened the floor to our data protection community so they could share insight and ask questions during the live session. 

If you missed out, listen to episode 189 to catch up on the latest GDPR news. 

Episode 190: The Ethics & Impact of Tracking & Profiling

With so many businesses adopting a hybrid model, employees can now work in the comfort of their homes. This flexibility boosts morale and productivity, but for many teams, this can only be achieved through mutual trust. 

To maintain productivity, businesses may rely on employee monitoring tools to track activity levels and digital behaviour. These tools provide insight into how your team works online versus in the office, identifying ways to improve efficiencies. While the benefits are there, where do we draw the line when it becomes intrusive? 

As a business, you’re responsible for protecting your customers’ and employees’ data privacy rights. Like all personal data, you must have a lawful basis for processing your employees’ activities. Our hosts uncover how you can implement these tools compliantly without stepping on your team’s toes. 

We moved on to other tracking methods, including cookies and targeted advertising, which allows businesses to record user behaviour. In a previous episode, we highlighted the challenges around cookies, consent and direct marketing. For this episode, our hosts debate whether it’s possible to limit or avoid these tracking tactics and what this means for online users is possible. Tune in to episode 190 now. 

Episode 191: GDPR Radio (Part Two)

For our second GDPR radio episode, we invited Catarina Santos, our Data Protection Consultant, back to discuss recent data protection news with hosts Jasmine and Phil. This news round-up focused on the ethical considerations around Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and the latest updates from the ICO and EDPB (European Data Protection Board) on fingerprint scanning in schools.

Our hosts also examined​​ the rising ransomware threat, of which Japanese watchmaker Casio became a victim just this month. We reflected on the implications of this attack and how improving cyber security awareness can eliminate the risk of human error. We finished our cyber security focus by discussing deepfake technology and how businesses need the right safeguards to avoid exploitation. 

Want to hear this news in full? Listen to episode 191 to get all the details. 

Episode 192: Using AI in the Workplace

AI is now everywhere you look. It’s in apps, tools, chatbots, search engines and devices you use daily. With artificial intelligence developing rapidly, how do we regulate its use when handling personal data?

The EU AI Act is currently the most targeted attempt at regulating AI in the EU. Despite its infancy, it will become a significant milestone in global AI governance. Outside of the EU AI Act, there is also a proposed global ISO/IEC 42001 standard for deploying AI in line with privacy and security guidelines. Our hosts discuss both regulations in detail, along with tips for adopting AI in compliance with the UK GDPR.

We also looked at the potential risks of using AI tools, like Microsoft Copilot and Google Notebook, in the workplace and how organisations can respect data privacy without affecting innovation. For more information, listen to episode 192 on demand now.  

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