European data privacy law and online business

Book abstract:

A commodity is defined as 'an article of commerce' - 'an exchangeable unit of economic wealth'. Undoubtedly under these terms information is clearly identified as a commodity and in today's world economy has assumed importance of immense proportions and value. The trade in information can relate to information of a broad generic category or more increasingly information of a specific and private type. Economic benefits may accrue as the boundaries of personal privacy decline and the pace of that decline is accelerating with the growth of online business. How does society maintain a balance between the two?

This book examines European data privacy law in the context of issues arising from online business and data processing. Europe was the first region to develop a specific regulatory structure for the processing of personal data and offers clear signposts as to how data processing will be regulated in other regions. It begins with a detailed description of the legislative process and goes on to discuss the basic legal concepts underlying data privacy law. It then explores how EU law is applied to particular electronic commerce and online activities, and how personal data is transferred outside Europe so as to comply with EU law. A comprehensive analysis of how to deal with complex compliance challenges is also provided, covering such areas as notification of databases, processing of employee data, privacy policies, codes of conduct, and website compliance and standardisation. The text is complemented by a useful array of appendices incorporating the key legislative texts along with forms and precedents, contact information, and useful website links.

The book will be useful to all businesses engaged in e-commerce and those practitioners engaged in international data protection laws and regulations.