The Impact of the Internet
INTRODUCTION
The Internet is the world’s largest international computer network. It
allows users to access substantial amounts of information held at
various locations all over the world, and has challenged the
organisation of obligations and the responsibilities with respect to
the processing of personal data.
“Personal data covers both facts and opinions about the individual. It
also includes information regarding the intentions of the data
controller towards the individual”
- Www.dataprotection.gov.uk
As data subjects, we all have various rights that must be conformed
to. For example, the Data Protection Act of 1998 requires that
personal data is collected for specified, explicit and legitimate
purposes” and should not be processed any further in a way that is
incompatible with these purposes. However, the open structure of the
Internet challenges this concept. A substantial number of problems and
risks are brought about by the fact that the Internet was built around
the idea of accessibility and multiple uses of information. I will
discuss the impact that the Internet has had on data protection issues
in the attempt of drawing a solid conclusion, as to whether current
methods are sufficient in protecting the data that is available
online.
WHAT EFFECTS HAS THE INTERNET HAD ON DATA PROTECTION?
With the Internet, there is no authoritarian figure for accepting the
responsibility of protecting the privacy of the customers. The
responsibility of data protection and privacy is therefore shared
amongst millions of service providers. Users of the Internet are
forced in placing their trus...
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...e users along with the new
technological developments is only a stepping-stone in developing a
100% secure Internet environment. Attempting to build a full proof
system is not possible due to the possibility that human error is
always possible. An article by Malcolm Rosario taken from
InternetNews.com contained a statement referring to the protecting of
data on the Internet.
"It's like driving Formula One racers on the Internet data highways
without any brakes and safety precautions."
REFERENCES
Books –
Professional Issues in Software Engineering, 2001 (Frank Bott, Allison
Coleman, Jack Eaton, Diane Rowland)
Websites -
www.dataprotection.gov.uk
www.news.zdnet.co.uk
www.hightech-women.com/dataprotection .html
www.privacy.org/pi/conference/copenhagen/koch.html
www.landfield.com