Data platform LiveRamp has agreed to buy DataFleets, a privacy-focused analytics platform for private and distributed data management. According to the release, the deal “opens up new use cases as well as new markets for distributed data collaboration” for LiveRamp’s privacy-first data collaboration environment, Safe Haven.
Data is a competitive advantage for brands — however, growing privacy regulations and security considerations have challenged analysis and implementation. DataFleets provides privacy-by-design technology that lets brands unify distributed data — data that resides beyond local systems — for safe collaboration and analytics. Per DataFleets’ website, “no raw data moves” beyond a company’s firewall.
While this isn’t necessarily new, what sets DataFleets apart from providers who offer similar technology, according to LiveRamp, is its safety plus customization capabilities. DataFleets gives brands data protection tools that are adaptable based on each business’s needs, without undercutting usability or skirting privacy requirements.
Regarding the acquisition, Anneka Gupta, President and Head of Products and Platforms at LiveRamp, said, “Together, our combined capabilities will pave the way for the next generation of privacy technology, serving as the foundation for our platform and products, and underscoring our commitment to making it safe and easy for enterprises to use data – wherever it lives.”
In particular, DataFleets bolster LiveRamp’s Safe Haven offering, which enables businesses to collaborate in a secure and privacy-centric environment. Safe Haven customers will have “more flexible options for distributed data collaboration,” according to the release. The company also says the addition of DataFleets’ new privacy tools will make Safe Haven more enticing for companies in healthcare and financial services, which are particularly concerned about privacy.
DataFleets also helps LiveRamp across geographies, like EMEA, LATAM and APAC, where privacy-by-design is a requirement and distributed data management can be challenging. DataFleets strengthens the ability for LiveRamp customers to comply with evolving, complex privacy regulations globally.
In the deal release, CEO of DataFleets David Gilmore said, “We are incredibly excited to join the LiveRamp team and continue executing on our shared vision of helping enterprises unify data to unlock maximum value, all while upholding consumer privacy and control. The synergies are strong, and together we can help global enterprises remove barriers to data access and usage to power insights and innovation across their businesses.”
Gilmore also published a blog about the deal, which is worth reading. He expands on the work DataFleets has done in the healthcare space, specifically, which was likely attractive to LiveRamp as it seeks to expand its reach across verticals.
The deal is expected to close in Q4. No terms were released.
