In this episode of Chance Conversations, Conor and I interview Robert Bateman, a renowned expert in data protection and privacy law. Robert shares his journey from self-professed ‘lazy man’ into data protection powerhouse, after he became unexpectedly obsessed with data protection in 2017.
Robert is the owner of KnowData Ltd, based in Brighton, England, where he provides consultancy, training, writing, and events related to data protection, privacy, and AI regulation. He also works as a data protection consultant for a number of firms, and as a trainer for Act Now Training. He also writes and hosts the bi-weekly Privado Privacy Corner, where he turns the crazy churn of privacy and data protection news into something manageable for all of us.
A Unique Approach to Training & Putting Privacy on the Map: When the topic of building a privacy culture came up as the first question, Robert immediately flipped it back on us, so if you haven’t heard Conor or my takes on the subject, prepare yourselves.
But for Robert, the heart of effective data protection lies in making the process approachable and meaningful. His philosophy is can be boiled down into a few key points:
be helpful & proactive
be clear, and
be approachable—cultivate a culture where data protection is second nature rather than a dictated chore.
Part of this mentality comes from Robert's deep commitment to empathy and logical consistency. Robert shared how his search for fairness and his focus on empathy have shaped him both professionally and personally. It’s nice to see that while the world of data protection can sometimes feel a bit like a battleground, Robert’s emphasis on understanding and fairness reminds us that at the core of it, data protection is fundamentally about people and doing right by them.
Compliance Grievances: What would a Chance Conversations episode be without at least a little airing of grievances when it comes to privacy theatre. I’ll admit, this is a bit in the weeds and mostly EU-focused, but for some of you, I suspect there will be some nodding in empathy and acknowledgement of our shared pain.
Finding a Passion for Data Protection and Understanding What Drives Him: Robert's journey into data protection wasn't an entirely straightforward one (though he did do the oft-customary legal song-and-dance first).
Candidly, he admitted that he used to be “quite lazy”, and that he’s the kind of person who is less driven towards a specific goal or goals (professional or otherwise), and is instead mostly carried along by what interests him. But after an illness, he did find his passion in data protection. Fortunately for us all, even after so many years, Robert seems pretty committed to making data protection, privacy, and AI understandable and clear. And notwithstanding his own opinion, I personally think Robert is one of the most hardworking folks I know, so I think he successfully dislodged his inner lazy.
For Robert, it’s about living in the moment, prioritizing the people he cares about and the life he wants to lead, rather than being consumed by lofty, long-term (and often unachievable) goals. This mindset not only keeps him present but also adaptable to the twists and turns life throws his way.
Inevitably, AI and The Fault in Our Laws: On industry Robert shared his thoughts about the current buzzword dominating our industry: AI. While many see AI as overhyped, Robert offered a nuanced view that it might actually be underappreciated by some in the data protection community. But he also shares the view that the state of expectations (including legal expectations) may have to change. We even get into what might happen if the law gets ahead of technology… oh my.
Still, the constant evolution and the legal intersections with AI make it an endlessly fascinating topic, one that Robert believes demands more thoughtful consideration as we hurtle toward a more automated future.
Timeline:
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:15 Meet Robert Bateman
01:45 Conversation Rules and Format
03:18 Industry Trends and Insights
03:33 Creating a Culture of Data Protection
13:22 Career Observations
19:54 Personal Questions
29:08 AI and Data Protection
36:19 Final Thoughts and Farewell
Stay tuned for the next episode of Chance Conversations, where we interview Gabriela Zanfir-Fortuna of the Future of Privacy Forum.
If you liked this episode, consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a comment, or subscribing to the podcast!
Share this post