Remembering and Forgetting in the Digital Age
Type
fundamental research project
Start Date
April 1, 2012
End Date
February 28, 2015
Status
completed
Keywords
remembering
forgetting
digital age
internet
personal information
data
Description
The project analyzes and assesses the legal framework for the handling of personal information from the past and for the future within an environment conditioned by changing information technologies.
From the perspective of the information law approach, the project will look at remembering and forgetting of personal information as a set of rules, procedures and organizational frames determining the handling of past information in the present and the handling of present information for the future. It will analyze and assess a variety of existing, cross-cutting legal materials - with deep dives in areas such as public archives, registers, storage duties, and prescription - along its informational functions and answer the following four guiding research questions:
1. What are the isomorphic normative structures, default rules and shifts, including their underlying legitimation, as well as potential patterns that concern the remembering and forgetting of information?
2. Are there possible points of tension and/or inconsistencies within these normative structures?
3. What are the key conflicts between the interests of remembering and forgetting, and as to what extent are these conflicts adequately addressed by the normative structure, given the new technological environment?
4. How could the current legal framework concerning the remembering and forgetting of information be improved de lege ferenda, and where are possible gaps and issues that are yet unaddressed by legal rules?
From the perspective of the information law approach, the project will look at remembering and forgetting of personal information as a set of rules, procedures and organizational frames determining the handling of past information in the present and the handling of present information for the future. It will analyze and assess a variety of existing, cross-cutting legal materials - with deep dives in areas such as public archives, registers, storage duties, and prescription - along its informational functions and answer the following four guiding research questions:
1. What are the isomorphic normative structures, default rules and shifts, including their underlying legitimation, as well as potential patterns that concern the remembering and forgetting of information?
2. Are there possible points of tension and/or inconsistencies within these normative structures?
3. What are the key conflicts between the interests of remembering and forgetting, and as to what extent are these conflicts adequately addressed by the normative structure, given the new technological environment?
4. How could the current legal framework concerning the remembering and forgetting of information be improved de lege ferenda, and where are possible gaps and issues that are yet unaddressed by legal rules?
Leader contributor(s)
Member contributor(s)
Burkert, Herbert
Partner(s)
Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University
mcm Institute for Media and Communications Management, University of St. Gallen
Funder
Topic(s)
Remembering and forgetting of personal information in the digital age
Method(s)
Information Law Approach
Range
HSG Internal
Range (De)
HSG Intern
Eprints ID
211567