The United Nations data privacy system and its limits

While the United Nations (UN) pioneered in recognizing the impact of modern technological developments on (data) privacy as far back as 1968, little has so far been achieved in terms of introducing a truly global data privacy framework. The present UN data privacy framework is by and large a mere pa...

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Published in:International review of law, computers & technology Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 224 - 248
Main Author: Yilma, Kinfe Micheal
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Abingdon Routledge 04.05.2019
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Cold War
Computer privacy
Data
Data integrity
data privacy
Frame analysis
Privacy
The right to privacy
United Nations
ISSN:1360-0869, 1364-6885
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Abstract While the United Nations (UN) pioneered in recognizing the impact of modern technological developments on (data) privacy as far back as 1968, little has so far been achieved in terms of introducing a truly global data privacy framework. The present UN data privacy framework is by and large a mere patchwork of rules that exhibit a number of weaknesses. This weak structure of the present framework is a result of political and ideological controversies of the Cold War era. This article considers the extent to which the current UN data privacy system provides protection to data privacy and highlights its major limitations. It concludes that the discourse at the UN set in motion, particularly in the aftermath of the Snowden revelations, wields a potential to result in a major reform in the UN data privacy system.
AbstractList While the United Nations (UN) pioneered in recognizing the impact of modern technological developments on (data) privacy as far back as 1968, little has so far been achieved in terms of introducing a truly global data privacy framework. The present UN data privacy framework is by and large a mere patchwork of rules that exhibit a number of weaknesses. This weak structure of the present framework is a result of political and ideological controversies of the Cold War era. This article considers the extent to which the current UN data privacy system provides protection to data privacy and highlights its major limitations. It concludes that the discourse at the UN set in motion, particularly in the aftermath of the Snowden revelations, wields a potential to result in a major reform in the UN data privacy system.
Author Yilma, Kinfe Micheal
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SubjectTerms Cold War
Computer privacy
Data
Data integrity
data privacy
Frame analysis
Privacy
The right to privacy
United Nations
Title The United Nations data privacy system and its limits
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