Episode 105

Sandra Matz: The truth about your digital footprint

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Do you know what your digital footprint is?

We all know that overusing digital devices isn’t good for us. But do we know the full extent of what we leave behind when we use our phones or laptops?

In this episode I am joined by Professor Sandra Matz to discuss the digital footprints we leave for companies and other individuals to use. Sandra talks about the misuse of digital footprints and the actions we can take to take back control. We also explore what can be done to create regulation change in regard to the use of our data. A shocking but essential episode for all of us as we leave our digital trail in the world.

You’ll hear about:

Digital footprints encompassing both explicit identity claims and behavioural residue
How people are often unaware of the extent of their digital footprints
Ways machine learning can provide insights into mental health and behaviour
How data can be used ethically to improve individual wellbeing
Why data considerations must be ethical as well as legal
Federated learning can protect user data while still providing insights
Regulation being necessary to protect personal data
Why collective action is essential for meaningful change in data regulations

More about Sandra

As a computational social scientist with a background in psychology and computer science, Professor Sandra Matz studies human behaviour by uncovering the hidden relationships between our digital lives and our psychology. Her goal is to make data relatable, and help individuals and businesses make better and more ethical decisions.

Over the last 10 years, she has published over 50 academic papers in the world’s leading peer review journals, and her work has been covered frequently by many of the major news outlets. She lives in New York with her husband Moran Cerf, and her son Ben Cerf.

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“Don’t stop at what’s legal. Think about what’s ethical.”

Professor Sandra Matz — computational social scientist & author

VIEW RUNNING ORDER

03.19	What is a digital footprint?
05.35	Surprises from your digital footprint.
07.36	Checking before giving information.
13.09	Digital footprints as a force for good.
17.54	The shocking side of digital footprints.
20.51	Blueprint messages to CEOs.
24.15	Practical tips to implement right now.
27.31	Sandra’s digital footprint practices.
29.43	Who should act first to change the system?
35.14	What does Sandra’s best day look like?
36.08	The impact Sandra wants to have on the world.