WAMA gets the lowdown on data privacy

A panellist who used to be a hacker, talk of the dark web and a warning to update all our passwords – WAMA’s perspectives on privacy did not disappoint.

The first WAMA breakfast of the year was a sellout event with a stellar panel and some rich conversations around what privacy looks like in 2024.

The discussion was opened by Peta Demideko, Head of Privacy, The U Group & Co, who brought to the table her ‘4 W’s of Privacy’ framework, alongside an impressive array of gifs to get some 7am attention from a room full of slowly caffeinated marketers.

Returning host, Kate O’Hara kept the morning in check with her dulcet tones and helpful instructions to the roving mic holders to “rove with the mics”, as the panel opened up for questions. Despite a mostly robust conversation, questions included “Should I trust my computer?” from the audience (no) and “Has anyone read the Google Privacy Policy?” from a hopeful panel (…no).

Mother daughter duo, Brenda Van Rensburg, Data Protection Specialist at Roy Hill, and Gillian Van Rensburg, Privacy Specialist, at VGW Group, joined Demideko on the panel to provide some unique perspectives. Brenda unpacked the importance of understanding our data and its intended purpose, while Gillian encouraged the automation of data security as much as possible, and championed the use of tools like password managers.

There was a clear want from the crowd to understand best practice, both when it came to their personal data as well as company and customer data. Katie Roberts, newly appointed co-chair of WAMA, had this to say about yesterday morning:

“The topic of privacy clearly resonated with our marketing community. We know that consumer trust in brands directly impacts the bottom line and one data breach can undo years of marketing.

“This morning was a great reminder that staying on top of privacy regulations is paramount.”

And there you have it…go on, do some good with your Friday and change your password from Dog1 to something a bit more respectable.

Written by Ashley Broadway.

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