Trust Talks & Digital Dives (T2D2) features invited experts who explore tools and processes for verifying information authenticity while putting privacy, security, and control at the centre of the design. T2D2 threads Canadian perspectives through a global digital economy value lens and raises awareness of individuals and organizations on the society-changing benefits and challenges of digital trust. We connect the value of verifying information authenticity with A.I., cybersecurity, open-banking, ethical research, fight fraud, protection the vulnerable, and much more. When it comes to digital trust - we've got you covered! T2D2 is produced by DIACC. DIACC is Canada's largest and most diverse voice on digital trust and identity. We're a not-for-profit association of public and private sector members championing digital trust and identity capabilities with privacy and security built in by design. To learn more about DIACC, visit DIACC.CA . Message podcast@diacc.ca to recommend a future guest or topic. If you enjoy our content, please subscribe and share our podcast with a friend.
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May 27, 2026Episode 233 min
#36 Canada on the Global Stage: AML/ATF Challenges & Opportunities
In this episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives, we explore Canada’s evolving role in combating anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) risks on the global stage. Featuring Laurie Clark, Co-founder, Principal, and Director at Canchek Corporation, the conversation examines why Canada continues to face scrutiny despite having strong regulatory frameworks, and how enforcement, coordination, and technology modernization are shaping the future of compliance.The discussion dives into the realities facing Canadian firms — from escalating regulatory expectations and reputational risks to the growing need for real-time monitoring and automation. We also explore the role of AI-driven compliance tools, the importance of transparency and auditability, and why Canada has the potential to become a global leader in compliance innovation through stronger execution and smarter technology adoption.Guest: Laurie Clark, Co-founder, Principal, and Director at Canchek CorporationModerator: Joni Brennan, President at DIACCKey Discussion Topics & QuestionsWhy is Canada under scrutiny when it comes to money laundering and terrorist financing?How does Canada’s trusted financial ecosystem create both strength and vulnerability?How has Canada’s AML/ATF regulatory landscape evolved over the last decade?What did recent FATF evaluations reveal about Canada’s AML performance and implementation gaps?What are the biggest compliance challenges facing Canadian companies today, especially smaller firms and fintechs?What are the real-world financial and reputational risks when AML compliance fails?How can automation and real-time monitoring technologies help firms manage compliance obligations more effectively?Are regulators becoming more open to AI-driven compliance and monitoring solutions?What does the next five years of AML/ATF regulation and enforcement in Canada look like?How can Canadian companies position themselves to lead globally in compliance innovation?References & ResourcesCanchek Corporation: https://www.canchek.comFINTRAC AML Guidance: https://fintrac-canafe.canada.caFATF Evaluation Reports: https://www.fatf-gafi.org Get to KnowLaurie Clark, Co-founder, Principal, and Director at Canchek Corporation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartenupinstitute/Joni Brennan, President at DIACC: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonibrennan/
May 13, 2026Episode 18 min
#35 Season 6 Launch: The Road Ahead for Digital Trust
Season 6 of Trust Talks & Digital Dives begins with a forward-looking conversation on the state of digital trust in Canada and the work ahead.In this episode, DIACC President Joni Brennan reflects on the real-world impact of today’s fragmented systems, where delays in verifying identity, credentials, and information continue to create friction for individuals and businesses. At the same time, the rise of AI-driven fraud and synthetic identities is reshaping the risk landscape and accelerating the need for more resilient, modern approaches to trust.Looking ahead, this season will feature voices from across the DIACC community, exploring how collaboration between public and private sectors can help reduce fraud, improve efficiency, and expand access to secure digital credentials.Building on DIACC’s Strategic Vision 2031, this episode sets the stage for future conversations, focusing on innovation, interoperability, and creating a digital ecosystem that is secure, inclusive, and trusted by all Canadians.Subscribe to DIACC’s Trust Talks & Digital Dives Podcast and share it with a friend: https://diacc.ca/podcasts/Learn More & Stay Connected:Check out the DIACC Strategic Vision 2031: https://diacc.ca/strategic-vision-2031/Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mydiacc/?originalSubdomain=caAbout DIACC: https://diacc.ca
September 10, 202524 min
#34 Talking Trust in Auto Finance
In this mini-episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives, we explore the pressures shaping today’s auto finance sector and how trusted digital identity verification can ease those challenges. With rising fraud risks and shifting consumer expectations, lenders and dealers face mounting costs and operational hurdles.Our discussion with Anne-Marie Kelly, Pulkit Arora, and Leigh Day looks at how digital identity tools help reduce fraud, streamline financing flows, and save organizations money while protecting customers. Together, we highlight practical ways in which identity verification strengthens trust in auto finance and preview themes that will be expanded upon during the September 23 webinar.Register Here for DIACC’s Information Sharing Session:Tackling Fraud and Identity Risks in Auto Retail and Finance: https://www.universe.com/events/diacc-s-information-sharing-session-tackling-fraud-and-identity-risks-in-a-tickets-6CWJFY DIACC Automotive Retail Sector Resources:https://diacc.ca/auto-dealers/Get to Know Our Guests: Anne-Marie Kelly, Head of Fraud at PaaysPulkit Arora, Founder & CEO at DabaduLeigh Day, Business Development at Yoti CanadaModerator:Joni Brennan, President at DIACC:Key Discussion Topics & Questions:What market pressures and fraud challenges are auto lenders and dealers facing today, and how are these impacting both businesses and customers?How can digital identity verification help reduce fraud and save money in the auto finance process, while still keeping the customer experience smooth?ReferencesPaaysDabaduYotiDIACC
August 27, 2025Episode 740 min
#33 Talking Money Mule Account Detection with Facephi and How Advanced Biometrics Drive Fraud Prevention
In this episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives, we delve into the growing threat of money mule accounts, a significant challenge in financial fraud where criminals exploit stolen identities to launder illicit funds. Our discussion features Facephi, a leader in digital identity verification solutions, as we dive into the challenges in detecting mule accounts and how advanced biometric technology, including facial recognition and liveness detection, helps combat identity document fraud. We also examine how AI-powered identity verification enables financial institutions to detect suspicious activity while maintaining a seamless customer experience. Finally, we look ahead at how innovations will shape the future of fraud prevention and financial security.Guest: José Israel Castro, Senior Identity Solutions Manager at FacephiModerator: Joni Brennan, President at DIACCKey Discussion Topics & Questions1. How do criminals use stolen identities to open money mule accounts, and why is this a growing financial fraud problem?Criminals are increasingly relying on money mule accounts to move illicit funds tied to scams, phishing attacks, and organized financial crimes. These accounts are opened using stolen, leaked, or synthetic identities, which are often obtained through data breaches or social engineering. Once created, the accounts are used to receive, transfer, and withdraw money, making it more difficult to trace the origin of fraudulent transactions. There are three main types of mule accounts: Complicit mules: Opened with fake or stolen identities and directly operated by criminals. Willing mules: Individuals who knowingly let their accounts be used in exchange for a commission. Unwilling mules: Victims who are manipulated into transferring money, unaware they’re aiding criminal activity.This issue is rapidly escalating. According to SEPBLAC, up to 5% of global GDP, around $2 trillion, is laundered each year, and over 4 million fraudulent accounts were identified globally in the last year alone. To understand how this works in real life, here are two real-world examples of authorized fraud, cases where victims themselves perform the transactions under deception, making detection even harder: Case: “The fake bank call” (unwilling mule) Ana receives a call from someone claiming to be from her bank’s security team. The fraudster knows some of her details (full name, ID digits, recent transactions), increasing credibility. She’s been informed of suspicious activity and asked to transfer her funds to a “safe” account. Under emotional pressure, she voluntarily transfers €6,000 using her usual device and 2FA. The receiving account belongs to a mule, who immediately withdraws the money. Since Ana authorized the transaction, it's considered valid despite being a scam. Case: “WhatsApp identity scam” (willing or complicit mule) Marta receives a message from an unknown number claiming to be her son: “Hi mom, this is my new number.” Hours later, “her son” asks her to urgently pay a phone bill since he lost access to his bank. Marta transfers €980 to the account provided, trusting the request. Only later does she learn her son never changed his number. A mule used the account to withdraw the funds. These examples show how easily fraudsters exploit emotional trust and identity data, bypassing traditional security systems. Since transactions appear technically legitimate, banks may struggle to detect or reverse them, especially when the recipient is a mule using a verified identity. That’s why fighting mule accounts requires a new layer of defence, continuous identity verification, behavioural biometrics, and anomaly detection powered by AI, to go beyond credentials and assess intent, context, and behaviour in real time. This isn’t just a compliance challenge. It’s a growing threat to the integrity of the entire financial system. 2. What are the biggest challenges in detecting mule accounts, and how can advanced digital identity solutions, like Facephi, help combat this issue?One of the biggest challenges is that traditional systems are designed to detect unauthorized access, such as Account Takeover (ATO) attacks. Still, they’re not prepared to identify mule accounts, especially when it comes to voluntary or involuntary types. At Facephi, we focus on proactive detection, and that completely changes the game. We use three main approaches: Pre-fraud signals: We analyze early warning signs from the moment the account is opened, including transactions, banking channels, and devices shared between accounts. Dynamic risk scoring: We employ a dynamic classification of accounts, enabling us to assign a risk score and anticipate potential fraudulent activity. Collaborative intelligence: We promote secure and privacy-compliant data sharing between financial institutions to detect fraud patterns at scale. This enables us to stop fraud schemes before they’re activated, not after. 3. How does biometric technology, including facial recognition and liveness detection, strengthen prevention efforts against identity document fraud?The user verification process we use at Facephi leverages biometric data to validate a person’s identity, while also ensuring the document they’re using is legitimate. First, the user scans their ID document using automated OCR technology, which instantly extracts the data. In the same step, the document’s authenticity is verified. Then, the user takes a selfie, and our passive liveness detection confirms that it’s a real person in front of the camera, not a spoofed photo or video. We then match the facial features with the document image to ensure they align. The process concludes with advanced verification steps, including checks on age, location, device, and cross-references with official databases, watchlists, or self-exclusion schemes. If a financial institution needs even stronger authentication, it can also add other biometric modalities, such as voice, fingerprint, or behavioural biometrics, for continuous, silent verification. In short, these technologies not only prevent the use of fake or stolen documents, they raise the bar for security without compromising the user experience. 4. How can financial institutions use AI-powered identity verification to detect and stop suspicious accounts without causing friction for legitimate customers?Our system, powered by AI and machine learning, constantly evolves to identify new fraud threats. This enables us to analyze large volumes of data in real-time and detect suspicious patterns, without interrupting legitimate users. Additionally, when we combine AI with behavioural biometrics, we significantly reduce false positives. That means fewer unnecessary blocks and a much smoother experience for genuine customers. 5. How will innovations in digital identity solutions, such as those developed by Facephi, shape the future of fraud prevention and financial security?At Facephi, we’re working to build a future driven by intelligent, adaptive, and collaborative solutions. We don’t just develop technologies to verify identities; we create comprehensive platforms that help institutions anticipate fraud before it happens. This includes multibiometric authentication, document verification, behavioural analysis, consortium intelligence, and early detection of mule accounts. Our goal is to protect users, shield institutions, and give the financial sector the tools it needs to become more resilient against any threat. Yes, digital identity will not only serve as a layer of protection but also become the core of financial security in the future.References:FacephiDIACCGet to Know:José Israel Castro, Senior Identity Solutions Manager at FacephiJoni Brennan, President at DIACC
August 6, 2025Episode 643 min
#32 Talking Digital Identity to Strengthen Trust in Healthcare, Elections, AI, and Online Safety
In this episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives, we explore the real-world impact of digital identity on critical societal challenges. Featuring experts from the Human Technology Foundation, EY, and McCarthy Tétrault, we discuss key insights from the Human Technology Foundation’s 2024 report on digital identity implementation, “Unlocking Digital Identity—Insights from Use Cases for Enhanced Implementation, Trustworthiness, and Individual Empowerment.” Our conversation covers age verification for online safety, managing health data, securing electronic voting, and authenticating content generated by AI. How can digital identity enhance security and privacy while empowering individuals? What are the challenges and risks? Tune in as we explore solutions that strike a balance between innovation, regulation, and user trust in the evolving digital landscape.Guests: Charles MorganNational Co-Lead, Cyber/Data Group at McCarthy Tétrault & Board Member, HTFJen Mossop-ScottDeputy Leader, Tech Strategy & Transformation, EY CanadaModerator: Joni Brennan, President, DIACCInterview Questions:Key Takeaways: What are the key takeaways from the 2024 Human Technology Foundation report on digital identity?Age Verification and Minors: Age verification and protecting minors online are growing concerns.What are the challenges, and how can digital identity solutions help?Electronic Voting: As electronic voting gains traction, concerns about security and integrity remain. What role does digital identity play in mitigating these risks?AI-Gen Content: AI-generated content is increasingly sophisticated. How can digital identity be leveraged to verify content authenticity and combat misinformation?Health Data Management: Managing health data securely while ensuring efficient healthcare delivery is a complex task. How do the report’s recommendations balance privacy, accessibility, and interoperability?Next Steps: What steps should governments, businesses, and technology providers take to build public confidence in digital identity initiatives? References:Unlocking Digital Identity—Insights from Use Cases for Enhanced Implementation, Trustworthiness, and Individual Empowerment PaperHuman Technology Foundation Mccarthy Tétrault EY DIACC Get to Know:Charles Morgan, National Co-Lead, McCarthy Tétrault & Board Member, HTFJen Mossop-Scott, Deputy Leader, Tech Strategy & Transformation, EY CanadaJoni Brennan, President, DIACC
June 4, 2025Episode 537 min
#31 Talking Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food with AAFC and the University of Guelph
Digital trust is transforming industries, including the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The DIACC’s Digitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food (DTAF) Special Interest Group (SIG) recently published a groundbreaking report outlining key challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for strengthening digital trust in this vital sector.In this episode, experts from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the University of Guelph will discuss the findings of the DTAF SIG report. We will explore how digital identity, verifiable credentials, and data governance play critical roles in food supply chain security, regulatory compliance, and sustainability.From traceability and fraud prevention to farmer data ownership and interoperability, we’ll discuss how digital trust solutions can modernize agriculture, empowering producers, regulators, and consumers. Join us as we explore the future of digital identity in Canada’s agri-food ecosystem and how collaboration between the public and private sectors can accelerate innovation.Guests:Élise Legendre (LinkedIn), Chief Data Officer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)Rozita Dara (LinkedIn), Associate Professor, PhD, CIPT at the University of GuelphHost:Joni Brennan (LinkedIn), President at DIACCKey Discussion Questions:What was the motivation behind the DTAF SIG report, and what key challenges does it address?How does digital trust impact food production, supply chain management, and consumer confidence?How can verifiable credentials support farmers, regulators, and food businesses to ensure compliance and efficiency?What role does data governance play in ensuring transparency and security in the agriculture and agri-food sector?How can self-sovereign identity (SSI) and decentralized solutions benefit farmers and producers?What are the industry's most significant fraud and food safety risks today?How can digital trust solutions mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and ensure fair trade practices?How can the Canadian government and private sector collaborate to accelerate the adoption of digital trust in the agricultural sector?What global best practices should Canada consider when implementing digital trust in the agri-food sector?How can advancements in digital trust benefit Canadian farmers, food producers, and consumers over the next five years?What emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain) could further enhance digital trust in agriculture?What Can Listeners Do?The DTAF SIG report outlines several key recommendations that listeners, whether in government, industry, or academia, can act upon:Adopt a digital trust framework: Encourage agricultural organizations and policymakers to implement trusted and agreed-upon auditable criteria that enhance efficiency and security.Engage in cross-sector collaboration: Farmers, technology providers, regulators, and industry leaders should work together to develop interoperable digital trust solutions.Advocate for regulatory modernization: Governments can update policies and frameworks to support secure, privacy-enhancing digital credentials in the agriculture and food safety sectors.Explore verifiable credential adoption: Organizations can pilot and deploy digital identity solutions to streamline processes like traceability, compliance, and fraud prevention.Join DIACC & contribute to the dialogue: DIACC provides an information-sharing and collaboration ecosystem to help shape the future of digital trust in every sector.Tune in to gain insights into how digital trust shapes the future of food security, sustainability, and efficiency in Canada’s agriculture sector!Read the DIACC DTAF SIG ReportDigitizing Traceability of Agriculture and Food
May 21, 2025Episode 455 min
#30 Talking Digital Travel Credentials and more with AAMVA, ICAO, and MATTR
The future of travel is digital, and secure digital credentials are at the forefront of this transformation. In this episode of the DIACC podcast, we bring experts from AAMVA, ICAO, and MATTR to explore the evolution of technologies, capabilities and frameworks for using digital credentials for travel. Our discussion will cover global interoperability, privacy-enhancing verification methods, regulatory considerations, and the role of trust frameworks in enabling seamless and secure domestic and cross-border movements. We will also examine the potential impacts of emerging standards, mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs), and digital travel credentials (DTCs) in shaping the future of identity verification in aviation and beyond.Join us as we uncover how these innovations drive efficiency, improve traveller experience, and strengthen security in the digital age.Guests:Ciaran Carolan (LinkedIn), PKD Program Manager, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)Adam Lemmon (LinkedIn), Director of MATTR Labs at MATTRMichael McCaskill (LinkedIn), Vice President, Identity Management Programs and Services at AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators)Host: Joni Brennan (LinkedIn), President at DIACCDiscussion:Standardization & Interoperability: What are the key international standards shaping digital travel credentials today, and how do AAMVA, ICAO, and MATTR uniquely contribute to global interoperability?Privacy & Security Considerations: How do digital credentials balance security requirements with privacy-enhancing principles to protect travellers' personal information?Benefits to Adopters: What are the key benefits of digital credentials for stakeholders, including travellers, airlines, hotels, and governments, and how can digital credentials enhance efficiency, security, and the overall travel experience?Adoption & Implementation Challenges: What are the biggest challenges in implementing digital travel credentials at scale, and how can governments and industry partners collaborate to address them?Role of Trust Frameworks & Digital Identity Ecosystems: How do trust frameworks (governance and risk management frameworks) support the secure deployment of digital credentials for travel?Future Outlook & Industry Collaboration: What advancements in digital credentials can we expect in travel and tourism in the next five years, and how can different stakeholders collaborate to accelerate adoption?
May 7, 2025Episode 345 min
#29 The Role of Decentralized Identity in Enhancing Privacy and Trust with Ping Identity
This episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives explores how decentralized identity transforms digital trust, user empowerment, and compliance with evolving privacy regulations. Joining us is Darrell Geusz of Ping Identity, a global leader in identity security. Darrell explains how decentralized identity works, its value to organizations, and how Ping Identity is helping lead the charge.Curious about how your organization can embrace decentralized identity? Learn more from Ping Identity and discover how you can participate in building a privacy-centric digital future.Guest: Darrell Geusz, PingOne Neo Product Lead, Ping IdentityHost: Joni Brennan, President, DIACCTopics Covered:What is decentralized identity, and why is it important?Empowering users with control over personal dataReal-world adoption: Who's using decentralized identity todayPing Identity’s strategy and tech in this spaceRegulatory alignment (GDPR, Digital Charter, etc.)Common barriers to adoption — and how to overcome themThe future of identity: What’s next for decentralized solutionsResources Mentioned:PingOne Neo: pingidentity.com/en/lp/ac/pingone-neo.htmlDarrell’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darrell-geusz-72a8324Verifiable Credentials Guide: hub.pingidentity.com/decentralized-identity/verifiable-credentials-decentralized-identityDIACC's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mydiacc/Joni's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonibrennan/T2D2 features DIACC members, non-profits, and governments. To recommend a topic or guest contact podcast@diacc.ca.
April 30, 202524 min
#28 Federal Election 2025 Reactions with Kelly Hutchinson
🎧 BONUS EPISODE – Post-Election Reflections with Kelly HutchinsonIn this special bonus episode, DIACC President Joni Brennan is joined by Kelly Hutchinson, Digital Practice Lead and Public Affairs Counsellor at Compass Rose, to unpack the results of Canada’s recent federal election and what they mean for the future of digital trust, innovation, and collaboration. Together, they explore what the post-election signals mean for Canada's digital economy and how the public and private sectors can work together to keep Canadians safe, connected, and empowered.🔍 What’s Inside:00:00 – Welcome and introduction01:15 – Election signals that could shape Canada’s digital future06:42 – Impacts on digital trust, identity, and modernization efforts12:20 – How DIACC and its members can support cross-sector collaboration17:45 – Priorities for the next 12–18 months23:05 – What gives Kelly optimism for Canada’s digital journey ahead📌 Key Topics Covered:Building digital trust and verifying identity securelyReducing fraud and scams in a rapidly shifting environmentStrengthening cross-sector collaboration across political linesUnlocking Canada’s economic potential through digital innovationEnsuring choice, control, privacy, and security for Canadians at the center of every solutionWhether you’re in government, tech, finance, or academia, this episode is for anyone working to strengthen digital systems and protect people in Canada’s evolving digital economy.📣 Like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes.👉 Follow the conversation on LinkedIn:DIACC: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mydiacc/Compass Rose: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compass-rose-ottawa/Joni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonibrennan/Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hutchonthehill/📺 Watch now:https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5K2AoPGJ17g?feature=oembed
April 16, 2025Episode 245 min
#27 PCTF Certification Benefits with Treefort Technologies, Consult Hyperion, KUMA and DIACC
Episode Summary:In this episode of Trust Talks & Digital Dives, we take you behind the scenes of what it means to earn and uphold trust in Canada’s digital identity ecosystem. Our guests dive deep into the DIACC Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF) Certification—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s helping companies like Treefort Technologies lead the way in secure, fraud-resistant digital verification.Topics covered include:How Treefort mitigates fraud using certified identity verification toolsWhy PCTF certification is a game-changer for the legal and financial sectorsWhat goes into the certification process and how it supports global interoperabilityReal-world insights from readiness and audit advisorsPractical advice for organizations considering their own digital trust journeyModerator: Joni Brennan - President, DIACC, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonibrennan/Featured Guests:Jay Krushell – Chief Legal Officer, Treefort Technologies, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-krushell-859914233/Ray Kimble – Founder and CEO, KUMA, https://www.linkedin.com/in/raykimble/Steve Pannifer – Managing Director, Consult Hyperion, https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-pannifer/Ruth Puente – PCTF Certification Lead, DIACC, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-puente-beledo/Whether you're a tech leader, policymaker, or just curious about how digital trust is evolving in Canada and around the world, this episode offers valuable insights into the certification processes shaping secure digital ecosystems.Tune in and explore how collaboration, standards, and certification are building the foundations of digital trust.
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