Masters of Privacy Erica Irvin (Lowe’s): the new boundaries of the discipline
Aug 3, 2025
Erica Irvin, SVP of Commercial and Innovation Law and Chief Privacy Counsel at Lowe’s, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in leading legal strategies across retail and tech. She discusses the evolving interplay between privacy compliance and AI governance, asserting the need for integrated approaches. Key topics include navigating consent in AI-driven environments and the importance of clear privacy policies to build consumer trust. Erica emphasizes the role of privacy professionals in fostering ethical data use while adapting to rapid technological changes.
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Privacy Is An Enabler, Not Just Compliance
- The privacy function has outgrown a narrow compliance label and now enables product, data governance, and ethics.
- Rebranding privacy roles matters because perception shapes how teams collaborate and the value they bring.
Apply Technology-Neutral Processes
- Build technology-neutral processes and ask consistent questions across systems to apply good practices.
- Ensure security and data-classification standards are enforced regardless of the underlying technology.
Vet Vendors Through Cultural And Process Checks
- Strengthen third-party due diligence and embed cultural fit checks during vendor selection.
- Educate internal stakeholders who pick vendors so compliance aligns from the start.