Rolf H. Weber Books

Within the last decade, the Internet has developed as a phenomenon encompassing social, cultural, economic and legal facets. It has become common practice to use the Internet for both the retrieval and provision of information, with the result that the Internet has become a valuable tool in everyday life. Many Internet participants are unaware that they leave data tracks on every website they pass; surfing on the World Wide Web is far from being an anonymous activity of no consequence. In recent years a number of networking techniques have been initiated in order to accommodate the netizen’s wish for anonymous communication and the protection of their privacy in the online world. Anonymization explores the legal framework developed to help protect netizens’ privacy and their wish for anonymous communication over the Internet. It debates the value in helping to protect anonymity over a network which sees an increasing number of cybercrimes, and explores governmental interventions into anonymity requests, and whether requests should only be legal if a sufficiently legitimized public interest is given.

The book begins with an analysis of the technological infrastructure environment and of the manifold regulatory theories developed in the Internet Governance context. Based on this foundation the transnational normative ecosystem is outlined, followed by a detailed discussion of the substantive Internet Governance principles (such as legitimacy, participation, transparency, accountability). These considerations lead to the presentation of relevant international legal concepts (duty of co-operation, global public goods, shared spaces, due diligence, State responsibility) that merit more attention. The outlook proposes potential approaches for improving the future of the Internet Governance design.

This book offers guidance for US-based IT businesses on both sides of the Atlantic when dealing with big data and government data, since transatlantic data flows are key to the success of these enterprises. It offers practical insights into many of the data-protection challenges US companies in various industries face when seeking to comply with US and EU data-protection laws, and analyses the potential conflicts in the light of their risks and the way in which US-based cloud providers react to the uncertainties of the applicable data-protection rules. The book particularly focuses on the insights derived from a qualitative study conducted in 2016 with various cloud-based IT businesses in the Silicon Valley area, which shows the diversity of views on data protection and the many approaches companies take to this topic. Further, it discusses key data-protection issues in the field of big data and government data.

In many respects cyberspace has created a new world. The online phenomena encompass social, cultural, economic, and legal facets. Exceeding the present Internet Governance concept the book analyses the normative foundations and guiding principles of a global cyberspace regime that includes the exchange of people, businesses, governments, and other entities. Based on this assessment and philosophical theories the book attempts to outline a model for a general legal framework enshrining key principles of civil society (such as human rights, ethics). The proposed global framework, not in the form of a multilateral treaty but a morally convincing declaration, could then be complemented by additional polycentric regulations with binding effect, developed on the basis of multistakeholder participation in a multi-layer concept.

'Big Data' hat enormes Potenzial, birgt aber auch beträchtliche Risiken. Der Begriff bezeichnet die Analyse riesiger, unstrukturierter oder nur beschränkt strukturierter Datenmengen, die in der Informationsgesellschaft laufend anfallen. Während diese Datenmengen bisher kaum oder nur zu sehr hohen Kosten verarbeitet werden konnten, stehen heute wirtschaftlich, wissenschaftlich und gesellschaftspolitisch vielversprechende Möglichkeiten für die Analyse und Nutzung dieser Daten zur Verfügung. Die wachsenden Möglichkeiten werfen allerdings fundamentale Fragen an der Schnittstelle von Technologie, Recht und Gesellschaft auf. Der Band befasst sich mit zentralen Fragen rund um Big Data' aus technischer und datenschutzrechtlicher Perspektive und untersucht die ebenso vielschichtigen wie grundlegenden, gegenseitigen Herausforderungen.

Mit der fortschreitenden Migration der Lebenssachverhalte in den Online-Kontext haben das Volumen, der Grad der Verknüpfung und die systematische kommerzielle Nutzung personenbezogener Daten exponentiell zugenommen. Gleichzeitig wächst das Unbehagen breiter Bevölkerungskreise gegenüber dem Kontrollverlust über die eigenen Daten und deren Verwertung durch unbekannte Dritte. Das Datenschutzrecht steht damit vor neuen Herausforderungen. In der Schweiz und der EU sind denn auch bereits teilweise umfassende Revisionsarbeiten angelaufen – ein neuer Regulierungsschub im Datenschutzrecht steht bevor. Ziel dieses Bandes ist es, anhand von acht Beiträgen zu grundsätzlichen Fragen des Datenschutzrechts, zum Stand der Revisionsbestrebungen und zu ausgewählten Einzelfragen Denkanstösse für mögliche Lösungsansätze zu vermitteln.

The classification of services in the digital economy proves critical for doing business, but it appears to be a particularly complex regulatory matter that is based upon a manifold set of issues. In the context of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), when the services classification scheme was drafted in the early 1990s, convergence processes had not unfolded yet and the internet was still in its infancy and not a reality in daily life. Therefore, policy makers are now struggling with the problem of regulating trade in electronic services and are in search of a future-oriented solution for classifying them in multilateral and preferential trade agreements. In late fall 2011, the authors of this study were mandated by the European Union, Delegation to Vietnam, in the context of the Multilateral Trade Assistance Project 3 (MUTRAP 3), to work out a report clarifying the classification of services in the information/digital economy and to assess the impact of any decision regarding the classifications on the domestic and external relations policy of Vietnam, as well as to discuss the relevant issues with local experts during three on-site visits.

The Internet of Things is an emerging global Internet-based information architecture that facilitates the exchange of goods and services. As the technology develops, establishing a legal framework is essential for its effective implementation. A self-regulatory approach may be preferable, allowing rulemakers to draw on existing Internet governance experiences. Initially, businesses will primarily operate within the Internet of Things, while civil society is expected to engage with it later, particularly in areas like healthcare. The Internet of Things will impact various sectors, necessitating regulations that ensure both security and user privacy. Additionally, potential legal barriers hindering its operation must be addressed. Despite challenges, the Internet of Things promises positive outcomes, including integrating developing countries into global trade, enhancing civil society's access to information, combating product counterfeiting, addressing environmental issues, improving health conditions, securing food supply, and monitoring labor standards compliance.

The information society is a crucial aspect of modern life, encompassing social, cultural, economic, and legal dimensions. The legal framework for this society is evolving, particularly with the emergence of "Internet governance." Recent discussions have focused on various elements of potential regulatory structures, highlighting the absence of an international treaty and the inadequacy of self-regulation as a normative model. This has led to the development of new architectural and constitutional theories, alongside the establishment of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Despite existing literature on IGF, a comprehensive and systematic examination of key Internet governance topics—such as legitimacy, transparency, accountability, and participation—along with critical regulatory issues like access, civil liberties, security, and the digital divide from a legal perspective is still lacking. This publication seeks to address these legal challenges, drawing on valuable insights and support from colleagues, particularly research assistants who contributed significantly to its preparation.