In this column, we want to put a trainer in the spotlight by asking them a handful of questions from DPI.<\/p>\n
Bert Verschelde, DPO at DPG Media, is happy to answer them.<\/strong><\/p>\n As a trainer, I\u2019m responsible for the final sessions on day 5 of the DPO course<\/a>. In those sessions, we take a deeper dive into the various GDPR roles involved in data collaborations, and I help prepare aspiring DPOs for their first 100 days in the role.<\/p>\n As privacy professionals, we don\u2019t have an easy job\u2014but that\u2019s also what makes it so rewarding. We are asked to evaluate data-driven applications in a fast-moving tech landscape against a legal framework that allows for interpretation and is itself constantly evolving through new guidelines and case law. Staying up to date with both the legal and technological dimensions is, in my view, the biggest challenge we all face.<\/p>\n The best way is through hands-on exercises based on real cases from DPO life. What\u2019s great is that participants often raise the same points and concerns I encountered myself when working on the case in practice. I\u2019m also a big fan of the Chatham House Rule<\/a>\u2014it allows people to speak freely during the sessions and discuss sensitive issues or dilemmas from their own organisations without filters.<\/p>\n As DPOs, we bring the law to life within the daily operations of organisations. That comes with a significant responsibility: it\u2019s up to us to show that respect for fundamental rights and compliance with data protection law can absolutely go hand in hand with data-driven innovation and growth. I see it as part of our duty to help one another in that task, and to share knowledge across sectors.<\/p>\n I often hear participants struggle with how to strike the right balance between being involved and having impact as a DPO, while remaining independent and avoiding conflicts of interest. This is made even harder by the reality many DPOs face: working alone, wearing all the privacy hats, and being flooded with varied requests and responsibilities. In my opinion, the key question every DPO should ask is: Am I mainly focusing on what really matters to the data subjects?<\/em><\/p>\n I follow all guidance, opinions, and case law related to cookies, direct marketing, and online advertising. Topics like cookie walls and \u201cConsent or Pay\u201d models are highly relevant for publishers who depend on both subscriptions and ad revenue. I also make a point of closely tracking the rapid developments in (generative) AI.<\/p>\n
\nInterview<\/h2>\n
Can you briefly explain your role at DPI and the type of training you deliver?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What do you see as the greatest challenge for professionals in your field today?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How do you connect theory and practice in your training?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What motivates you to share your knowledge with participants?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What are common questions or challenges that participants struggle with?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What developments or trends do you closely monitor in your field?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What, in your opinion, distinguishes a strong training course from an average one?<\/strong><\/h3>\n