ROB VAN EIJK
Managing Director Europe at Future of Privacy Forum | Founder of Team Blaeu
Senior executive operating at the intersection of privacy, technology, and business strategy. Driving EU privacy policy development with expertise in regulatory frameworks and complex data architectures.
Experienced in leading organizational change and managing high-level stakeholder relationships across the EU. Building bridges between technical, legal, and business domains for Fortune 500 companies, startups, and regulatory bodies.
My Approach to Privacy Leadership
I approach privacy challenges by integrating technical understanding with regulatory expertise, creating solutions that balance innovation with fundamental rights protection.
I also plan from an end-user's perspective with key questions: What are the privacy issues? What is the privacy component? These give us a focused starting point to identify and assess risks and explore technical, organizational, and contractual mitigations.
Key Publication
Web Privacy Measurement in Real-Time Bidding Systems
Doctoral ThesisLeiden University, Leiden Law School (2019)
In my doctoral thesis, I investigated online advertising technologies that appear to track user behavior across websites. The research demonstrates how data flows between partners in RTB networks due to their specialized roles in the ad tech ecosystem. By applying network science algorithms, I developed methods to measure privacy implications in RTB. Additionally, I introduced a Graph-Based Methodological Approach (GBMA) that addresses variations in consent implementations across European jurisdictions.
Research Highlights
My research focuses on privacy engineering, data protection, and the legal aspects of data architectures, with particular emphasis on real-time bidding systems and online tracking technologies.
Technologist Roundtable: Key Issues in AI and Data Protection
Eijk R. van, Gray S. & Smith M. (2024)
On 27 November 2024, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) hosted a Technologist Roundtable with the goal of convening an open dialogue on complex technic...
Confidential Computing and Privacy. Policy Implications of Trusted Execution Environments
Adams S., Gray S., Massey A. & Eijk R. van (2024)
On 15 Juli 2024, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) published a report on confidential computing, a privacy-enhancing technology (PET) that marks a sig...
On a Legitimate Interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR) and based on case C-621/22
Eijk R. van & Bygrave L. (2024)
At Alpine Privacy Days 2024, Lee A Bygrave and I explored the interpretation of legitimate interest under the GDPR Art. 6(1)(f). The workshop delved i...
Microtargeting: On the critical connection between ethics and ad-technology
Eijk R. van (2023)
The keynote speech focuses on critical issues in digital advertising and data protection, addressing concerns like microtargeting in political campaig...
Media Presence & Thought Leadership
Recognized expert and influential voice in privacy, data protection, and technology regulation.
Media Mentions
Quoted in publications including The New York Times, Bloomberg, POLITICO, Euronews, MLEX, and NOS.
Keynote Speaker
Delivered expert presentations at industry conferences and regulatory bodies across Europe.
Panel Expert
Regular panelist at privacy and technology conferences including CPDP.ai, IAPP, and forums worldwide.
Popular Media
Featured in television, radio interviews, and podcasts discussing privacy and data protection issues.
Professional Publications
Author of blog posts, reports, and white papers on pressing privacy and technology regulatory topics.
Scholarly Works
Academic researcher with peer-reviewed publications on privacy, data protection, and tracking technologies.
Professional Learning
Developer and instructor for professional training on privacy, adtech, machine learning, and data protection topics.
Academic Teaching
Guest professor and instructor in academic programs focusing on law, technology, and privacy topics.
Committees & Boards
Active participation in advisory boards, standards committees, and governance groups in privacy and technology.
Professional Roles
I currently serve in dual professional capacities: as Managing Director Europe at Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and as Founder of Blaeu Privacy Response Team (Team Blaeu).
My work bridges privacy policy development with practical implementation, providing strategic guidance on data protection, privacy engineering, and ethical technology deployment.
Copyright © 2025 Rob van Eijk • Personal content is licensed under CC BY 4.0 unless otherwise noted.
Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Future of Privacy Forum or other affiliated organizations. For Team Blaeu's company information, please visit blaeu.com .