Technology & regulation post CJEU Google Spain

Ray CorriganThe Open University

AtInstitute of Advanced Legal Studies, June 2015

Tech regulation challenges

GAAF oligopoliesAddiction to technologyIgnorance of policymakersGovernment & commerce v individualInternet security & neutrality compromised

Gordian knot

Promise of big data vPersonal & collective privacy

GAAF

Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook Big tech chokeholdGovts & courts co-opting intermediaries as co-regulators/enforcers (for censorship & surveillance)CJEU Google Spain v Gonzales 2014, Delfi v Estonia 2015

Internet v WWW v Facebook

Huxleyite addiction to tech

We love this stuff…

Public domain image courtesy of OpenClipArt https://openclipart.org/detail/18694/mobile-phone-with-big-screen

Convenience beats everything

It gives “free”, convenient…InstantGratifyingAccessTo Everything& EveryoneWe want…

States of denial…

We don’t think about the costs…Complete surrender of personal data to scavengers on the NetUntil it goes wrong– CJEU Gonzales, Ukraine demonstrations: “Dear … you have been registered as a participant in a mass disturbance”

Even GCHQ Optic Nerve… collective yawnSurveillance golden age

Ignorance of policymakers

Occasional hilarity – IP addresses, terrorists using rtbf so HRA must go, PM’s no no-go zonesBut… Busy generalists 24 hr news mediaPass laws in areas they don’t understandGarbage can approachDRIPARegulatory capture

Commerce & government v individual

Bulk –• Collection • Retention• Processing • Monetising • Disseminating/censoringPrivacy –Nothing to hide…

Internet security & neutrality compromised

Internet security in a terrible stateNetwork awash with personal data – commercial, government & other actors all over it

OPM hack bigger problem than Snowden for USTechnical architecture of Net requires NW management; infrastructure under-developedTelco lobbying US & EUParadox of the best network

Gordian knot

Promise of big data vPersonal & collective privacy

But we need…

Informed policymaking David Anderson report good start on surveillance

Balanced regulation and industryControl of wild west personal data scavengingInvestment in security & infrastructureInformed and active citizensMature and ethical IT profession