The Right to Be Forgotten in the Internet Era

20 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2012 Last revised: 13 Mar 2014

See all articles by Hans Graux

Hans Graux

time.lex CVBA

Jef Ausloos

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR)

Peggy Valcke

KU Leuven - Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP); European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS)

Date Written: November 12, 2012

Abstract

Especially after its appearance in the European Commission's recent proposal for a new Data Protection Regulation, the 'right to be forgotten' has provoked quite some criticism. Much of the opponents, however, seem uninformed on the actual scope and meaning of the proposed provision. Additionally, the concept is often confused with the much older 'droit a l'oubli', which finds its rationale in the protection of privacy as a fundamental human right. This text starts by giving an overview of the more traditional droit a l'oubli and how it is applied throughout Europe. Subsequently, the more modern 'right to be forgotten' is analyzed from a normative, market, technological and legal perspective. Finally, this text makes a thorough and critical analysis of the current proposal. Despite its laudable goal, some deficiencies should be resolved. But, in general, the right seems to restore the power balance by giving (back) effective control to individuals over their personal data.

Keywords: right to be forgotten, droit a l'oubli, EU data protection regulation, EU data protection directive

Suggested Citation

Graux, Hans and Ausloos, Jef and Valcke, Peggy, The Right to Be Forgotten in the Internet Era (November 12, 2012). ICRI Research Paper No. 11, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2174896 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2174896

Hans Graux (Contact Author)

time.lex CVBA ( email )

7 rue Joseph Stevens
Brussels, 1000
Belgium
T +32 2 893 20 95 (Phone)
+32 2 893 22 98 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: https://be.linkedin.com/in/hans-graux-9977a9

Jef Ausloos

University of Amsterdam - Institute for Information Law (IViR) ( email )

Roeterseilandcampus, Building A, 5th floor
Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1018 WV
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://ivir.nl

Peggy Valcke

KU Leuven - Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP) ( email )

Sint-Michielsstraat 6 box 3443
Leuven, 3000
Belgium

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

Villa La Fonte, via delle Fontanelle 18
50016 San Domenico di Fiesole
Florence, Florence 50014
Italy

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