Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:30
The course aims to introduce students to the core aspects of privacy and data protection law, exploring its international, European, and national dimension.
The course addresses the role of data privacy regulation in the digital environment, critically discussing key global challenges, such as: international data transfers; the balance between the right to data protection and other fundamental interests; the explainability of artificial intelligence.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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We live in the information society. We produce 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day through our economic activity, online behaviours, interaction on social media, use of smart objects, and other means. Due to cloud computing and the developments in the field of Big Data, we have the computational resources to extract value from this information.
Still, there are important issues remaining to be discussed:
The right to privacy and the right to data protection offer a first primer for understanding how the law regulates personal information and its free movement.
The knowledge of such areas of the law is crucial not only for becoming aware our digital rights and the fundamental mechanics of the Internet. The processing of personal data is also an essential activity in any business organisation and public institution, creating the need for new figures and legal professions (e.g., the data protection officer).
The course aims to introduce students to the core aspects of privacy and data protection law, exploring its international, European, and national dimension. Against this backdrop, it will tackle the most pressing issues emerging in the policy and doctrinal debate by critically discussing the role of data privacy regulation in the digital environment.
The course will be divided in two parts. The first one will be dedicated to privacy and data protection law fundamentals, and it will revolve around core topics, such as:
1) The right to privacy and the right to data protection: an international overview.
2) GDPR (part I): fundamental principles, key concepts, and rationale.
3) GDPR (part II): procedures and remedies.
In the second part of the course, students will be asked to apply their knowledge and critically engage with key global data privacy challenges, such as:
4) International data transfers (after the Schrems II decision and after Brexit);
5) Privacy and Data Protection at the time of Covid-19 (e.g., the legal issues emerging in contact-tracing apps);
6) Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI).
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
Exam 60%
Case Comment 40%
Resit: Exam 100%
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Understand | To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundations of Privacy and Data Protection Law at the international, European, and UK level. |
| Procedural | Apply | To apply the knowledge and concepts acquired in concrete case scenarios, such as international data transfer, the explainability of artificial intelligence, sharing data in the public interest. |
| Reflection | Create | To communicate orally and in writing information, advice and choices in an effective and persuasive manner. |
| Reflection | Analyse | To analyse the conflict between data protection and other fundamental rights and interests. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | To evaluate the legal implications of emerging technologies, their impact on society, policymaking, and the future of legal professions. |
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