THE EVOLUTION OF PRIVACY LAWS IN THE DIGITAL AGE (Essay Sample)

The Evolution of Privacy Laws in the Digital Age Privacy laws have assumed vital importance in the present generation age of technology because the technology has been progressing at higher rates. Globalization and advancement in technology especially in areas of internet and communication has forced a change in the perception on the aspects of privacy and subsequently the formulation of new legal relations aimed at addressing new perceived privacy risks.Pretermitting, privacy laws were established to respond to the common-law torts type that dealt with the right of physical privacy i.e. an unlawful search or entering of an individual’s privacy. But, with the help of the newer technology the new type of invasion of privacy has also come to limelight, the invasion of privacy through data theft and unauthorized online spying. However, in Solove’s view, the realm of privacy had become much broader as the Internet culture grew, which means that there is a need for broader protection of individuals’ rights in this area. Contemporary laws like the General Data Protection Regulation passed by the European Union goes far in solving these problems by coming up with strict rules that govern the processes of collection, storage, and use of data (Greenleaf 32).In United States there are also privacy laws that have been developed for the digital age but in a more piecemeal fashion to the GDPR. Some of the laws include the following: the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) that tries to enrich the consumer privacy by focusing on the consumers own rights to their personal information, as well as making corporations more truthful about their activities and knowing the consumers personal details (Zuboff 25). Nonetheless some issues still persist while trying to realize an integrated and effic...