Seattle University School of Law is proud to present a series of blogs showcasing our MLS in Compliance and Risk Management students’ Capstone presentations. The Capstone requires the student to create and submit a comprehensive paper or project for presentation in the course which showcases the student’s competence in compliance.
As part of Seattle University’s MLS in Compliance and Risk Management program, students undertake a capstone project that synthesizes their learning into a comprehensive paper or project showcasing their competence in compliance and risk management. The course requires students to interpret cases, statutes, and regulations related to the law and policy of compliance and risk management across various industries.
Students analyze the role of the U.S. legal system, particularly administrative bodies, in relation to business or industry compliance and risk. They examine compliance issues through a legal lens, including legal analysis, research, and both written and verbal communication. The course also emphasizes ethical considerations and cultural competency, preparing students to perform critical non-attorney roles across diverse business environments.
Anne Bayerkohler’s presentation is on empowering parents to protect children’s data privacy.
Passion for Data Privacy
Anne is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law’s MLS program. Having worked in compliance for years, Anne reflects on her journey, noting that she entered the field prior to fully understanding what the role entailed. She genuinely wishes the MLS program had been available back when she first became a compliance director.
Her career began even earlier in IT help desks, however, long before the internet or cloud technology became the foundation of our digital lives. That experience served as the backdrop for her Capstone project, which focused on data privacy for children, an area she has long been passionate about
The Inspiration Behind Anne’s Capstone
As a compliance professional and a mother, Anne’s Capstone journey was deeply personal. As her child grows, her experiences as a mother navigating the growing concerns around student data during the pandemic significantly influenced her project. With the rise of online learning tools vast amounts of student data were often collected without parental oversight.
One major concern was the collection of geolocation data on children. While some companies have made strides toward transparency in their data collection practices, there have been many alarming examples of how easy it is to gather sensitive information without parents fully understanding the implications. The pandemic made this even more pressing, as many parents, especially those in underserved communities, were simply trying to get their kids online without the bandwidth to investigate these platforms’ privacy policies fully.
Having previously taught in inner-city Houston, Anne understands how challenging it can be for parents who juggle multiple jobs. They often don’t have the luxury of time to sift through dense legal jargon; they just want their kids to have access to education. This realization became the foundation for her Capstone, which focused on children’s privacy and the steps that can be taken to better protect their data.
Privacy Hoarder: The Capstone Project
Anne created a website called “Privacy Hoarder” for her Capstone project. The goal was simple: to provide parents with the tools and information they need to protect their children’s data. Though she had to discontinue the site after two years due to maintenance demands, her work with Professor Tracy Kosa helped refine her focus. She aimed to empower parents by giving them access to easy-to-understand information about data privacy, especially the privacy of their children.
A particular concern for Anne is the age of consent for data collection. In the United States, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) sets the age of consent at 13 years old.. Studies have shown that the brain doesn’t fully mature until the mid-20s, raising questions about whether 13 is an appropriate age for children to consent to their data being collected in this digital era. As laws like COPPA are updated, it’s crucial to address these issues to ensure adequate protection for children’s privacy.
Compliance and Privacy: A Personal and Professional Mission
Anne’s Capstone project wasn’t just an academic exercise; it has become a professional mission as well. She currently serves as the Global Compliance Director for a CDN (Content Delivery Network), where she ensures the smooth delivery of streaming content and other data. This role involves overseeing third-party risk management and enterprise risk management, particularly regarding data transfer and compliance with privacy regulations. Anne collaborates closely with the Data Privacy Officer, although her primary focus lies in other areas of risk management. This Capstone has had a lasting impact on how she approaches privacy in both her personal and professional life.
Lifelong Learning and Professional Development
The MLS program, particularly the Capstone, was not just a stepping stone for Anne; it marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. She’s still connected with her cohort members despite being spread across the country. That sense of community has proven incredibly valuable, offering support and insights into each other’s work. Even now, Anne continues to read federal regulations, track changes in compliance, and stay updated on developments by watching Congressional hearings on C-SPAN. One of the best aspects of this field is the continuous learning.
A Call to Action: Involvement in Professional Organizations
Anne highlights the importance of professional organizations like the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). They offer student memberships that are either free or very affordable around $50. These memberships unlock access to a wealth of resources, including webinars and local networking events through KnowledgeNets. Whether attending online or in person, these organizations are incredibly welcoming, and Anne encourages students to get involved early on.
Another valuable resource is the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). These memberships remain invaluable even after graduation. Although costs increase as compliance professionals, the benefits far outweigh the expense, particularly when it comes to staying informed and connected in the ever-evolving field.
Communication and Empowerment in Compliance
In both compliance and privacy, communication is key. It is not sufficient to simply train employees or provide parents with information; the challenge lies in making it easy for them to understand and act on that information. People’s attention spans have shortened, and platforms like TikTok have demonstrated the power of bite-sized content. In compliance, this means delivering policies and procedures in ways that are digestible and easily accessible.
Whether it involves a parent trying to understand a privacy policy or an employee learning about a new regulation, it is the responsibility of compliance professionals to meet people where they are and simplify the information as much as possible.
Inspiring Others
Anne Bayerkohler’s Capstone project focused on empowering parents to take control of their children’s data privacy. It represents a personal passion that has had a lasting impact on both her personal and professional life. While the project may have begun in the classroom, it is a mission that continues in her career as a compliance professional, and she hopes it inspires others to take action in their own lives.
For anyone interested in learning more, Anne highly recommends exploring the resources provided by IAPP and SCCE. These organizations are excellent for staying up-to-date in the ever-evolving fields of privacy and compliance, and they offer a welcoming community for both students and professionals alike.
Privacy affects everyone, and it is essential to ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect it—especially when it comes to children.
