The Data Diva E246 - Aparna Bhushan and Debbie Reynolds

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In episode 246 of “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds talks to Aparna Bhushan, a co-host of the Rethinking Tech podcast and a seasoned data protection and governance attorney licensed in both the U.S. and Canada. Together, they explore the critical intersection of geopolitics, tech policy, and data ethics. Aparna shares her professional journey from startups to global corporations and international organizations, such as UNICEF, where her passion for ethical and practical data governance took root. The conversation explores the fast-paced and often contradictory dynamics facing governments, companies, and users in the digital age, highlighting how the collapse of traditional rules has left many institutions scrambling for direction.

Debbie and Aparna discuss how companies are navigating conflicting global regulations, the growing risks of consumer backlash, and the real-world consequences of poor data decisions, such as the fallout from GM’s data broker scandal and the potential sale of sensitive genetic data in the 23andMe bankruptcy. They also address the dangers of regulation lag, scope creep, and public distrust in platforms that mishandle personal data. Aparna shares her perspective on the emerging global impact of the EU AI Act and the regulatory vacuum in the U.S., arguing that proactive privacy strategies and consumer trust are more valuable than merely checking compliance boxes.

The two dive deep into the complexities of age verification laws, questioning the practicality and privacy implications of requiring IDs or weakening encryption to protect children online. They emphasize the need for innovation that respects user rights and propose creative approaches to solving systemic data challenges, including Aparna’s vision for AI systems that can audit other AI models for fairness and bias.

To close the episode, Aparna shares her global privacy wish list: a more conscious, intentional user culture and a renewed investment in responsible technology development. This thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the ethical evolution of data governance in a rapidly shifting global landscape.

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