Over two years ago, the EU ruined the digital economy. Or so you’d think based on the countless headlines bashing the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. The landmark privacy law drew criticisms due to burdensome compliance, exorbitant fines and legal vagueness. In this article, Wilke takes a step back to assess the real impact that GDPR has had on the digital economy. 

The term ‘data protection’ has been used so excessively that it has begun to lose its meaning. It comes as no surprise then that efforts to regulate this field have proven challenging, with many left to wonder whether said laws provide adequate protection or a false sense of security. GDPR is said to be a monumental step forward in the rather piecemeal efforts to reform data protection regulations. But does GDPR live up to its name?

According to the government and the judiciary, embracing the technologies of the digital age seems to be an answer to a vast number of problems facing our current court process. Though there’s no doubt that our current courts have a somewhat long list of faults, the impact of the digitalization of courts is yet to be seen. Will it serve to rid us of the current issues that plague the courts? Or will it fashion yet another barrier to justice?

Facebook’s Libra seemed like an exciting new development in the Fintech industry when it was officially announced in June 2019. However, legal issues faced by Libra are widespread and will be difficult to overcome. Many issues have not been addressed by the Libra Association and so, the question remains: will it happen?

Under the Montevideo Convention, a requirement of statehood is determined territory. Because of climate change, the territory of some states is disappearing. How are these states to maintain their statehood in the face of disappearing territory? Is a change to the law needed?

With ever expanding market-size, growing consumer reliance, and no discernible challengers it would appear big tech is experiencing the best of times. But this is only half the picture. These structural advantages have brought about transatlantic scrutiny from antitrust enforcers. However, these inquiries are achieving little more than revealing anachronistic laws unfit for the modern age. For a healthy digital economy to exist, anti-trust law must modernise. 

In today's digital era, companies operating in states with inadequate or non-existent data protection regimes can pose a significant threat to human rights. The rising concerns over data protection necessitate urgent global response. In this article, Chamilou examines the desirability of and potential for developing an international agreement on the individual’s fundamental right to data protection.