Stop calling it anonymous: The reality of pseudonymized data in SaaS | Noemie Weinbaum

In this episode of Practical Privacy, we explore one of the most common misconceptions in SaaS and AI development: the belief that data can truly be fully anonymized.

Orla Dormer speaks with Noemie Weinbaum – Managing Counsel at UKG, about why organizations should stop assuming their datasets are anonymous and instead treat them as pseudonymized personal data. They discuss why true anonymization is extremely difficult under GDPR standards, how SaaS companies often use the same datasets for both service delivery and AI training, and why this creates real risks around re-identification, compliance, and customer trust.

Noemie also shares practical advice on building the right governance approach from the start — integrating privacy into the software development lifecycle, involving product and engineering teams early, and creating a cultural shift toward transparent data protection practices.