Rob van Eijk - Privacy Executive & Strategic Technology Leader

ROB VAN EIJK

Managing Director Europe at Future of Privacy Forum | Founder of Team Blaeu

Privacy Executive & Technology Strategist

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

Cover of Web Privacy Measurement in Real-Time Bidding Systems

Web Privacy Measurement in Real-Time Bidding Systems

Doctoral Thesis

Leiden 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.

Screenshot cover the publication

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...

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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...

Screenshot cover the publication

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...

Screenshot cover the publication

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...

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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.

50+ mentions in major publications
Coverage in 7+ languages
media mentions
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Keynote Speaker

Delivered expert presentations at industry conferences and regulatory bodies across Europe.

20+ keynote presentations
Speaking topics include online privacy, adtech, and AI ethics
keynotes
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Panel Expert

Regular panelist at privacy and technology conferences including CPDP.ai, IAPP, and forums worldwide.

60+ panel appearances
Contributor at global industry events

Popular Media

Featured in television, radio interviews, and podcasts discussing privacy and data protection issues.

15+ television, radio & popular media appearances
Expert insights on consumer privacy concerns
popular media
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Professional Publications

Author of blog posts, reports, and white papers on pressing privacy and technology regulatory topics.

30+ professional publications
Focuses on emerging privacy challenges
publications
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Scholarly Works

Academic researcher with peer-reviewed publications on privacy, data protection, and tracking technologies.

PhD dissertation on web privacy measurement
Contributions to academic journals and conferences
academic
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Professional Learning

Developer and instructor for professional training on privacy, adtech, machine learning, and data protection topics.

25+ specialized training programs worldwide
Expert-level courses for regulatory agencies and industry
training
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Academic Teaching

Guest professor and instructor in academic programs focusing on law, technology, and privacy topics.

Teaching at Leiden University, TU Delft, and others
Summer schools, guest lectures, and student supervision
teaching
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Committees & Boards

Active participation in advisory boards, standards committees, and governance groups in privacy and technology.

W3C standardization working groups
Policy development and technical standards
governance
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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 .