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Episode 321Can we get back our privacy & data against Big Tech & hackers?
Apr 22, 202536 mins
Data PrivacyPrivacy
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Overview
Can individuals and organizations still take control of their data — or has the privacy battle already been lost? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw is joined by Ron De Jesus, Field Chief Privacy Officer at Transcend (formerly with Grindr and Tinder), to explore the evolving challenges of data privacy, corporate surveillance, and cyber threats.
Topics discussed include:
• The long-term impact of data collection by Big Tech and hackers
• Why seemingly harmless apps request access to sensitive data
• Consumer rights under state privacy laws — and how to exercise them
• The potential (and risks) of AI in managing personal data
• Whether it’s still feasible to “go off the grid” in today’s connected world
• The growing role of transparency, regulation, and digital hygiene
Ron shares expert insights based on years of operational experience in privacy, offering actionable advice for both individuals and businesses looking to navigate a more complex digital landscape. If you care about digital rights, data security, and where privacy is headed, this is an essential conversation.
📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments.
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Transcript
Keith Shaw: Years of data collection by big tech companies—and data theft by hackers and cybercriminals—have left many people jaded about whether we can truly protect our data or if it even matters anymore.
On this episode of Today in Tech, we’re going to discuss whether end users and companies can fight back against these forces. Hi everybody, and welcome to Today in Tech. I'm Keith Shaw. Joining me on the show today is Ron DeJesus.
He is the Field Chief Privacy Officer at Transcend. Welcome to the show, Ron.
Ron: Happy to be here, Keith. Keith: All right.
I want to dive into this world of data and privacy—specifically, whether end users and companies can push back. I want to set the table first by sharing my perspective on the current landscape, then get your take, since you’re on the front lines of this every day.
Ron: Yeah, absolutely.
Keith: The big things for me are, first, the issue of users giving up personal information to use apps—Facebook, Google, advertising platforms, etc. Second, the frequency of data breaches that expose personal information, often sold on the dark web.
I’ve had my identity stolen a couple of times, and dealing with it is a major hassle. Then there’s the recent news out of the UK involving Apple and data protection, plus the Telegram-related arrests in France.
And I’ve always been annoyed by the idea that some companies might be listening to conversations via apps or microphones. So overall, I feel like there are major global issues around privacy and data. Do you see these issues the same way, or would you rank them differently?
Ron: For context, Keith, I was the former Chief Privacy Officer at Grindr and Head of Privacy at Tinder, so I’ve had a lot of operational experience. I approach this with a strong focus on protecting consumers. So yes, I’m very aware when companies do shady things with data.
And I agree—nothing is free in this world. The kindness of strangers, maybe. But not companies trying to monetize their services. People often forget they're paying for these services with their data.
When we sign up for an app—Instagram or whatever—we’re clicking through privacy policies and terms of service, essentially giving up large amounts of personal data to use these services.
Companies need to be more transparent about why they need the data, what types they collect, how it's used, and who it’s shared with. That helps educate users and prevent them from being blindsided—like wondering why a chess app needs their location.
So to answer your question: yes, there are companies doing better than others. But consumers need to understand that data drives the digital world. To benefit from services, we need to provide some data—but there are ways to stay in control. We'll get into that.
Keith: Do you think companies initially started with good intentions—collecting some data to improve user experience—but then crossed a line into more nefarious territory? Ron: Yes, 100%.
Internally, at companies I’ve worked with, the mentality was: “The more data, the better.” Maybe I’ll need this five-year-old data to develop a new feature. The idea was: the more I know about a user, the better I can sell to them or improve the experience.
And sure, companies want to build intelligent products based on user actions. But at some point, it shifted to “let’s collect everything.” That overabundance of data can become a liability.
Keith: And with governments—like the U.K. vs. Apple—it seems like a tug-of-war: collect all the data vs. protect the data. 0 Ron: Exactly.
Governments have to balance protecting citizen safety and national security with protecting personal privacy. These are complex, often contentious issues.
Keith: I’ve heard this a lot from friends and family—when I bring up privacy concerns, they say, “Everything’s already out there,” or, “I don’t care, I’ve got nothing to hide.” Both of those attitudes feel dangerous. Ron: I agree.
That mindset creates complacency. If people assume they’ve already lost control, they won’t engage with their privacy rights. And that means companies won’t get feedback when they overstep. There are now 20 state privacy laws in the U.S.
that let users delete or access their data, or limit how companies use it. But most consumers don’t know this. Education is key.
Keith: Is the pendulum swinging back? The U.S. doesn't have a federal privacy law, right?
Ron: No federal law yet—which is surprising. The EU has comprehensive privacy protections. They’ve historically been more proactive.
Keith: What happened with 23andMe was a wake-up call. The California Attorney General urged people to delete their data. I think that helped raise awareness that these rights exist. Ron: Exactly.
That kind of media coverage helps. People need to know they have the right to take back control.
Keith: What advice would you give to people dealing with that “I’ve given up” mentality? Should we just give in? Ron: Definitely not.
Consumers need to take control. Start by reading privacy policies—even briefly. Look at the privacy settings available in apps. Many now offer more user-friendly dashboards.
Keith: Wouldn't it be great if every website had a true checklist interface? Like, “I’m fine sharing my name, but not my location.” Ron: Absolutely.
Granular control is the key. You don’t need my Social Security number for a crossword puzzle. Users should decide what they share, and why.
Keith: OK, tough question: How do I talk to my teenage daughter about TikTok? She rolls her eyes and says, “I’ve got nothing to hide.” Ron: Ha!
That reminds me of a Netflix show, Adolescence, where teens explain emoji codes to clueless adults. But seriously, it’s important to meet teens where they are.
Apps like TikTok and Instagram actually have youth-focused privacy resources. Plus, there are privacy influencers on TikTok who do a great job of explaining these topics in fun, relatable ways. Parents should tap into those instead of trying to be the "cool adult."
Keith: So you have a TikTok account? 1 Ron: I do!
I talk about privacy topics there—though I’m still not as cool as some influencers.
Keith: We had a guest who said, “Just get your Gen Z intern to make viral videos.” I wish! But you're right—combine education with humor or daily routines, and you can get through to younger audiences. Which companies are doing privacy well?
Apple comes to mind—they’ve made privacy part of their brand. Signal too, although there was some recent news there…
Ron: Signal’s still a privacy-respecting platform. The incident you mentioned doesn’t reflect poorly on the app’s security. And yes, Apple’s been strong—those billboard campaigns, standing up to the FBI, providing encryption options. They're walking the talk.
Keith: Any other companies that stand out?
Ron: DuckDuckGo is a good one. They don’t store your search history, and you can wipe everything with one button. Brave is another browser that prioritizes privacy.
Keith: Let’s talk about data breaches. Once your data is out there, is it out there forever? Ron: Unfortunately, yes.
Once it hits the dark web, it's almost impossible to retrieve. But you can reduce your digital footprint by deleting unused apps, subscriptions, and old posts.
Keith: I recently got multiple Microsoft emails with one-time passcodes. I changed my password, but I keep getting them. Is that just part of the game now?
Ron: That’s why two-factor authentication is so important. If the hacker doesn’t have the second step, they’re locked out. You’re doing the right thing by staying vigilant.
Keith: Is there a way to get your data back or change what companies have?
Ron: Yes—especially if you live in one of those 20 states. You can submit a data subject access request to see what data companies hold, and request deletion or modifications. It's worth doing.
Keith: Is it possible to go completely off the grid in 2025?
Ron: It’s incredibly hard, especially if you've already left a digital trail. You can delete accounts and request link removals through “right to be forgotten” requests, but government records, third-party mentions, and past posts make total erasure nearly impossible.
Keith: OK, back to AI. Is it going to help or hurt privacy? Ron: Both.
AI needs regulation. Without it, companies can misuse data or generate harmful outputs. On the flip side, AI can help consumers manage data more effectively—like automating cleanup or requests.
But we need guardrails. Companies won't self-regulate unless laws force them to. Without that, AI could easily worsen the privacy situation.
Keith: You mentioned agentic AI—imagine LifeLock using AI agents to clean your credit report. That’s cool, but it also means giving them even more data. Ron: Exactly.
It’s a tradeoff. Even privacy-focused companies need data to operate. That’s never going to fully go away.
Keith: Last idea: What if we build AI Ron—a bot that reads privacy policies for me and tells me what to do?
Ron: Let me go copyright that real quick!
Keith: Final question: Should companies just be more upfront about their data practices? Ron: Absolutely.
Transparency is good for consumers, business, and reputation. A breach is bad—but covering it up is worse. Be honest, be clear, and do right by your users.
Keith: Great advice, Ron. Thanks again for joining us. We’ll have you back the next time there’s a major data breach—or maybe we’ll just talk to AI Ron.
Ron: Thank you, Keith.
Keith: That’s all the time we have for today’s show. Be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Join us every week for new episodes of Today in Tech. I'm Keith Shaw—thanks for watching!
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