Digital Forgiveness
Human participation in the online world undoubtedly brings human concerns into this virtual landscape. However, the internet follows a structure that does not explicitly recognize sovereignty and territorial limitations. This makes internet governance difficult to follow, as different countries can have conflicting views over how much jurisdiction they have over issues such as data privacy.
There are many views on internet regulation. For instance, due to the confusion arising from the internet following the laws of not only one country, but many times, multiple countries at once in a given transaction, Johnson and Post suggest that a new jurisdiction must arise from the internet itself [2]. However, in reality, this idea might be too idealistic, and the internet is currently regulated by many public and private parties.
In The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks, Andrew Sparrow provides insight into a variety of legal aspects concerning social networks, ranging from the geneology of virtual words to the vulnerability of social networks. Sparrow also discusses the legal frameworks that exist today (the 1998 Data Protection Act, for example) and provides a comprehensive overview of the legal systems in the EU, UK and US regarding privacy in the on-line world, allowing for the comparison and contrast to their applicability to these networks [3].
There are many other sources discussing privacy online. A panel of experts from industry (e.g. Facebook), law enforcement (e.g. FBI) and privacy advocacy discuss these privacy issues in in an Online Privacy, Social Networking, and Crime Victimization hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary [1].
One important topic throughout the hearing is a user's disclosure of their personal information. The release of this material, whether it is revealing credit card numbers to make online purchases, or sharing personal information through social networking sites, presents the users with great privacy challenges. While Federal and state laws prohibit identity theft and such related crimes, it is important to make sure consumers understand the importance of taking their own precautions to protect themselves, and for Internet companies to also take the necessary steps in ensuring the security of their user's information [1].
Online privacy laws are greatly convoluted, and the matter is only made worse when a given jurisdiction is unclear about user's rights and the information their "privacy settings" actually make public. Thus, as the online world grows, privacy is a challenge that continues to be put on the public spotlight.
Resources:
Link [1]
Online Privacy, Social Networking, and Crime Victimization: Hearing Before the Subcommittee On Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the Committee On the Judiciary, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, July 28, 2010. Washington: U.S. G.P.O. , 2010.
Link [2]
Johnson, David R. and Post, David G. "Law and Borders - The Rise of Law in Cyberspace." 1996.
[3] Sparrow, Andrew Peter. The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks. Farnham, Surrey, England: Gower Pub., 2010.
