Welcome to the latest episode of Chance Conversations! Conor and I are thrilled to introduce you to Rowenna Fielding (AKA, MissIGGeek), an exceptional voice in data protection, privacy, and data ethics. With over a decade of real-world experience, Rowenna brings her unyielding passion for data justice and advocacy right to our podcast. Imagine sitting with someone who is not only a supreme nerd but also a fearless champion against surveillance capitalism—Rowenna is all that and more!

Exploring Values and the Inner Toddler

Our conversation kicked off with Rowenna sharing her core values: compassion, integrity, and curiosity. She candidly revealed that while she strives to embody these principles, like the rest of us, she sometimes falls short. It’s a refreshing reminder of our shared human experience. Rowenna humorously compared human nature to toddler behavior, suggesting that just like the little ones, adults often struggle with realizing they’re not the universe’s center. This perceptive analogy resonated deeply with us, highlighting that no matter how sophisticated we become (or think we are), some aspects of our nature remain as pure—and sometimes irrational—as a toddler’s outburst.

Career Insights: Bridging Gaps with Words

In our industry-focused segment, Rowenna discussed her remarkable skill in pattern recognition, particularly in language. Diagnosed late with autism, she leverages her hypolexia—a turbo-charged linguistic ability—to bridge communication gaps between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals. This unique trait not only enhances her advocacy but also demonstrates how embracing one’s neurodiversity can lead to significant professional and personal achievements. Her love for words and their precise usage underscores her dedication to clarity in communication—a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of data protection work.

The Challenges of Data Protection and Privacy

Rowenna didn’t hold back when discussing the often-missing element in data protection: the focus on protecting people’s fundamental rights and freedoms. She emphasized that the core of data protection is about safeguarding these rights, not just checking compliance boxes. Together, we pondered the disconnect between risk assessments and real-world impacts, agreeing that data protection should focus on preventing harm rather than merely calculating risk. Her insightful critique serves as a call to action for professionals to rethink their approach to privacy and protection advocacy.

Technology’s Future: The Good, the Bad, and the FAFO

As the conversation veered into tech and our (possibly dystopian) future, Rowenna offered a sobering yet hopeful perspective. She acknowledged the historical pattern of innovation outpacing governance—and the persistent techbro mentality of “FAFO” (aka, Fuck around, and Find Out), will only get worse as technologies become more powerful and potentially damaging. To stop the bleeding, we need to keep fundamental rights and ethics in mind.

Rowenna’s candid remark about humanity possibly being the first species to choke on its own creations highlighted both the gravity and absurdity of our predicament with technological advancement.

Personal Reflections: Fighting the Good Fight

The heart of Rowenna’s motivation lies in what she describes as “fighting the good fight.” Her personal background—being mixed-race, bisexual, and having disabilities—fuels her advocacy against prejudice and power structures. While she acknowledges the practical necessity of earning a living, it’s her unflinching passion for justice that truly drives her. This dual motivation reflects a profound dedication to her field, resonating with anyone who aims to make a significant impact through their career.

Wrapping Up with Humor and Puffins?

In true Chance Conversations style, our chat wrapped up with light-hearted musings on guilty pleasures and puffin obsessions. Rowenna shared her annual pilgrimage to a puffin colony in Wales—a delightful insight into her personal joys and a testament to finding happiness in the simple, beautiful moments life offers.

Tune in!

Join us in this engaging episode as we unravel complex privacy issues with Rowenna’s rich insights and advocate spirit. Whether you’re a privacy professional or simply curious about the intersections of technology and justice (or puffins and toddlers), there’s no shortage of thought-provoking moments in our chat.

Don’t miss our next episode with Avishai Ostrin, of TrustIZ, where we’ll dive into more privacy challenges and opportunities shaping our field. Until then, stay curious, keep questioning, and share your thoughts on our LinkedIn page or leave a comment!

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