Ep.14 Data Brokers: Who sells our Data & Why w/ Rob Shavell

When it comes to data-privacy scandals, Facebook and Google immediately spring to mind as the key culprits. These companies are the scapegoats whose shady data-privacy practices get plastered all over the news and lead to investigations, but there are other companies that operate away from the spotlight, unbeknownst to most internet users. In this episode, we discuss data brokers, the industry, skills needed for the industry and ways you can reduce your digital footprint online.         About Speaker: Rob, Abine CEO, co-founded Abine alongside Eugene and Andy and previously led Abine’s product and business development. Rob brought Abine’s core products to market, including DoNotTrackMe, which has protected the privacy of over 10 Million consumers and has been featured by hundreds of news outlets, including CNET, the Boston Globe, and the New York Times. Prior to Abine, Rob was VP Product at Identity Force, an identity theft provider and co-founder of one of the first consumer group travel portals, "TravelTogether.com” and was an associate at Softbank Capital Partners (Boston) and Softbank / Mobius Venture Capital (Silicon Valley). Rob has a BA from Cornell University where he began his studies in the school of Architecture. About Abine: https://www.abine.com Abine is the online privacy company -- they make easy-to-use tools for consumers to control what personal information companies, third parties, and other people see about them online.