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Plymouth Law Review

Owen Pearce

Document Type

Graduate Article

Abstract

This dissertation aims to evaluate the legislative and regulatory landscape surrounding data protection in both commercial and governmental settings. Personal data in the Information Age has taken a position of vital social importance,1 being seen as a ‘digital extension of self’.2 Equally, information is of immense value to private sector companies which utilise data in the name of innovation, personalisation, and profit. The government also has obtained vast quantities of personal data in pursuit of protecting broader societal values, such as preventing serious crime. Following the Snowden Revelations of the extent of governmental surveillance,3 and with a growing awareness of ‘digital stalking’ by data-rich companies,4 the Data Protection Act 2018 and Investigatory Powers Act 2016 have been introduced. While access to information and security are key pillars of modern society, this study seeks to examine the effect of the law in serving individual and social needs in preserving fundamental rights, such as privacy. In assessing the law on these issues, the dissertation seeks to determine the best means of balancing each interest and providing a fitting framework for modern social needs.

Publication Date

2024-01-01

Publication Title

The Plymouth Law Review

Volume

17

Issue

1

First Page

127

Last Page

185

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